South African rescuers awarded medals for disaster relief efforts in Leyte

From the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Nov 27): South African rescuers awarded medals for disaster relief efforts in Leyte

The Philippine military awarded two South African humanitarian groups that helped typhoon victims in the Visayas during disaster relief operations in storm-ravaged areas.

The recipients of the military civic action medals were Rescue South Africa and Gift of the Givers. The South African groups were composed of search and rescue teams and trauma response rescuers who provided pre-hospital treatment in Villaba town near Ormoc City in Leyte province.

Members of the Rescue South Africa and Gift of the Givers also set up a temporary clinic where over 700 patients were treated. The two organizations assisted workers from the Department of Health and World Health Organization, according to the Philippine Information Agency.

The teams brought with them rescue and clearing equipment and medicines, and relief goods worth millions of pesos.

Ian Scher, chief executive officer of Rescue South Africa Disaster Response Team, said it was an honor for them to have served humanity. “We came here as rescuers, we left as friends,” Scher said.

More than 5,000 people have perished from the super typhoon Haiyan which struck central Philippines on November 8. And the toll could be higher as more bodies remain under rubble and debris.

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