Statement on the Return of the South Africa Rescue Mission to Algeria

The South African Rescue team that was despatched to Algeria, at the behest of President Thabo Mbeki to assist the people of Algeria following the devastating earthquakes that left over 2000 dead, over 8000 wounded and resultant damage to buildings and infrastructure, returned to South Africa early Friday 30 May 2003.

A total of 38 international rescue teams including South Africa responded positively to the call from the Algerian government and people's to lend a hand in their hour of need. From Africa, the other rescue teams were from Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.

The South African team comprised of fire, rescue, engineers, and medical staff drawn from the SANDF, the SAPS, the Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg Metros, as well as two NGO's, namely, Rescue South Africa, and Global Relief. This is the biggest ever search and rescue team (92 in total) dispatched to a disaster area comprising governmental and non-governmental agencies.

The brief of the team was to assist the Algerians in their first phase of search and rescue of victims. This phase has now come to an end and will now be followed by a second phase, which will focus mainly on humanitarian assistance to victims of the earthquake in the form of medicines, blankets, tents etc.

As the relief effort progresses from the phase of search and rescue to the humanitarian aid phase, the Algerian people can count on the continued support of the South African government and people.

The South African Government will establish an inter-departmental committee led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and comprising of the SANDF, SAPS, Department of Health as well as the Provincial and Local Government to co-ordinate our humanitarian assistance to Algeria which will be channeled through the International Red Cross.

On behalf of the President, Thabo Mbeki, the Government and people of South Africa we express our most profound gratitude to members of the rescue team that participated in this mission. We reiterate the view of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma that the mission will add further impetus to the existing solid bilateral relations and close bonds of solidarity and friendship between the peoples of South Africa and Algeria.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
30 May 2003.