Rescue South Africa: Disaster response team on the brink of disaster

In 1999, a group of volunteer paramedic fire fighters decided to go abroad and assist after an earthquake in Izmit, Turkey. This rescue mission revealed to the team a very serious skills shortage

in search and rescue in Southern Africa. Out of this was born the concept of Rescue South Africa. As a result, in 2001 the NGO/NPO organisation was formed.

“The vision was to enable Africans to be good citizens of the world, to show the world that Africans can help themselves and offer humanitarian services worldwide. To make a difference”, said Rescue South Africa’s Ian Scher.

Rescue South Africa had three primary objectives:

• To respond to sudden onset disasters and provide technical rescue skills.

• To build a cache of equipment to be used for both training and response.

• To build capacity by offering high quality rescue training, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Rescue SA had eight American rescue technicians come to South Africa, who in turn trained 26 trainers from emergency services. This group of trainers has gone on to train thousands of South Africans right up to the level of urban search and rescue technicians.

Over the years, Rescue South Africa has built up what is now the largest cache of rescue equipment in Sub-Saharan Africa, weighing approximately 60 tons.

They have responded to various sudden onset disasters around the world, including Mozambique, Haiti, Malawi, DRC, Japan, Philippines, Iran, Pakistan and India, as well as many more within the borders of South Africa. Their responses are offered free of charge and not a single cent is earned by the members of our team, which is made up of volunteers.

Where they are today

Their funding comes from the rescue training modules they offer to emergency service personnel as well as industrial fire departments and mines. These funds are used for the maintenance, repairs and insurance of their equipment. Whatever they have left over is put into their response kitty.

Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their training has almost completely ceased. This now puts them in a position where they are dangerously close to having to close their doors.

Hope for the future

“As a humanitarian organisation, our sole purpose, function and desire is to help those in need.

To help those who are not in a position to help themselves during their most desperate times. We run this organisation with such a huge passion, not with the desire to make money. But if we are unable to receive funding, then we are unable to respond when people need us. This fact is heartbreaking to all who have dedicated over 20

years to build this organisation. If we are unable to provide our humanitarian rescue services, it will indeed be the most regrettable end to what we truly believe has been an organisation that has saved hundreds upon hundreds of lives over the years” said Scher.

What we need

“We are appealing to the corporate world to consider sponsoring or donating to Rescue South Africa. With any amount, large or small, you can literally save lives”, added Scher.

Banking details

Bank: Standard Bank;

Branch Code: 00 43 05

Account Number: 00 247 8714

Visit www.rescue-sa.co.za