Comments by Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad on the Return of South Africans Evacuated from Thailand, 29 December 2004 Johannesburg International Airport

1. The South African Government joins the public in welcoming back our fellow South Africans who were trapped in Thailand following the devastating earthquake and tidal waves that affected South East Asia and parts of Africa.
2. In this context, we take the opportunity to extend President Thabo Mbeki, the government and people of South Africa's heartfelt condolences to the four South African families that lost their loved ones. The thoughts and prayers of the entire nation are with you during these difficult moments.
3. Simultaneously, we reiterate our support and condolences to the countries of South East Asia and Africa that have been affected by one of the worst disasters in history.
4. SA remains willing and ready to join international efforts aimed at assisting the affected countries with relief support within our limited means. In this regard, we have thus far received two urgent requests for relief from Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia. The matter is receiving the urgent attention of the government.
5. The Government also extends its gratitude to its partners, NETCARE 911 and Discovery Health for making their resources available to bring back our compatriots back to South Africa, safely.
6. South Africa's Ambassador to Thailand Ms. Buyi Pheto and senior Foreign Affairs Consular officers will remain in Thailand to see to the welfare of the remaining South Africans and to assist in the process of tracking down scores of missing South Africans on the island of Pukhet
7. Foreign Affairs Operational Centre statistics of South Africans that were in the affected countries as at 28 December 2004 are as follows:

· Thailand-1646
· Sri Lanka-37
· India-121
· Indonesia-42
· Maldives-100
· Malaysia-47
· Kenya-8
· Singapore-11 South Africans went to visit Thailand from Singapore
· Burma-5
· Region- 5 South Africans reported to be travelling in the region prior to disaster.

HOME AFFAIRS HAS ESTABLISHED AN OFFICE AT JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT
The Department of Home Affairs will with effect from, today, Wednesday 29 December 2004 will maintain an office at the Johannesburg International Airport with a view to assisting those returning South Africans who may have lost their identity documents and passports during the disaster in South East Asia and Africa. The Home Affairs department will endeavour to ensure a speedy processing of such applications and delivery to the homes of the respective applicants.

ROLE OF HEALTH MINISTRY
We are also happy to announce that the Minister of Health (Dr Manto Tshabalala Msimang) is also present with us here today. Both herself and the Minister of Home Affairs (Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula) are here to personally take charge of their areas of responsibilities in respect of the matter at hand.

AN APPEAL FOR RELIEF ASSISTANCE
In the light of the tragedy, the government will be making its relief contributions to the affected countries and makes a public appeal for relief organisations and private individuals who wish to make contribution to this effort to contact Foreign Affairs Relief Co-ordinating Centre at:

012-351-1520/1560/1466
084-514-7094 -Johan van Wyk
073-332-0842-Johan Pascal

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
29 December 2004.