When Disaster Strikes: Special Report on the Türkiye-Syria earthquakes

Interview with Gershin Chetty

On 6th February 2023, at approximately 04:17 in the morning, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern and central Türkiye, and northern and western Syria – followed by a second earthquake minutes later. Within hours, the Gift of the Givers Foundation deployed their highly trained multidisciplinary team to help. Among them was our own Gershin Chetty , Life Health Solutions Regional Business Manager and first responder. We hear about the experience from him.

How did you feel being there?

I had mixed feelings when I arrived at the Istanbul airport because everything seemed calm. However, as we made our way to the affected areas, I was left speechless because the devastation was so catastrophic. It's hard to explain what I saw. I have been deployed on various rescue missions under the Gift of the Givers flag, but I must say that this one was the most difficult.

What did you encounter after you arrived?

Our deployment was in the Hatay Province (Southern Türkiye) in the region of Antakya, where we stayed for ten days. It looked like a war zone. There were approximately 85,000 buildings that collapsed in that region alone. While we were there, the region continued to experience a number of aftershocks.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (Turkish: Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı, also abbreviated as AFAD), was appointed by the Turkish government to coordinate the relief effort. They allowed international rescue teams to set up camp at the Hatay sports stadium. Within two days of our arrival, the Turkish government provided us with water, electricity, and sanitation.

Türkiye was in the peak of the winter season with below freezing temperatures and snowfall over the mountain area where our camp was set up. With the weather conditions impacting the rescue mission, we knew we had to work fast to find live victims as time was running out. 

The South African Team and the K9 Squad in Action

We were a multidisciplinary team of 51 individuals including interpreters, emergency care doctors, physicians, orthopedic surgeons, therapists and a search-and-rescue crew. We also had five police dogs accompanied by their handlers. For my part, I led the search and rescue operations on ground. We worked closely with the rescue teams from Türkiye, China and Oman. Our mornings began with a briefing from the INSAREG JOC, where they assigned each rescue team a section to conduct search and rescue. The SAPS K9 search and rescue handlers and their dogs were extremely beneficial to this mission. They also assisted the Omani and Turkish teams in multiple areas not yet searched.

The K9 dogs were a big hit! Because of their excellent scent-detecting abilities, they were used by other international teams as well. Besides the K9 squad, the Gift of the Givers team had advanced rescue equipment and technology to assist in the rescue. This included a live-locater and imaging camera that enables rescuers to see inside small voids for victims, as well as seismic and acoustic devices that allow rescuers to listen to distinct sounds for victims buried beneath rubble.

The team and I went through different emotions every day being on the ground. There were moments that felt rewarding, especially in assisting and finding live victims, and then there were time we felt great sadness when we could not give closure to some families on the recovery of their loved ones. Our team's occupational therapist and team leader held a daily debriefing around the campfire, which helped us to process our emotions.

How important are volunteers to the rescue effort?

Volunteers provide their time and expertise for humanitarian aid. During times of crisis, preparation and coordination are essential. In this role, volunteers serve as substitutes assisting authorities, governments, and nations to expedite medical and rescue relief operations. They are highly skilled and trained professionals who are dedicated to making a difference wherever possible in saving lives and providing assistance.

They saved lives!

There were two elderly people rescued by the Gift of the Givers South African team with the assistance of the Omani and Türkiye rescue teams. A 90-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man were found alive after being buried for seven days. This gave us so much hope and determination to forge ahead, even if it meant working until late hours on the ground.

What were your most memorable moments?

Saving lives was undoubtedly the highlight of this mission for me. For myself, it was a memorable experience that taught me the true meaning of UBUNTU! The Turkish people suffered huge losses as a result of the devastation that ripped through their country, but we all came together and united as one. Seeing countries coming together and putting differences aside for one common goal for the sake of humanity was so inspiring to me.

Some of the best moments that I will always value was working alongside an extremely dedicated team. They served with pride, dedication, enthusiasm and perseverance to save lives. For some, it was their first mission but it seemed like we had been working together for years.

Another noteworthy point was the generosity of the Turkish people. We were well taken care of. They provided us with meals and water whenever they could; and business owners provided free fuel for rescue vehicles. They thanked us for everything we did in trying to give them closure for their loved ones. There was nothing we lacked on the ground in Türkiye – from the people and the government who showed their appreciation in so many ways.

Another aspect that set the South African team apart was our diversity. Out of 81 international rescue teams, we really stood out. Our Gift of the Givers South African Team was the only multicultural team with varied ages and race. It is a point of pride for me. 

A special vote of thanks was given to the Gift of the Givers Team and I from the Türkiye Rescue Team, which made us feel extremely proud as South Africans who came together to assist another country in their time of need.  

Lastly, before boarding their plane, people at the Istanbul Airport applauded the South African Gift of the Givers team. A picture of the Gift of the Givers Rescue team and a South African flag were displayed on the walls alongside the other rescue teams. The experience was heartwarming. I was so proud to be a part of this team.

A message of gratitude

To Gershin Chetty and the Gift of the Givers team, your selfless concern for the well-being of others is inspiring. When people were in their most desperate hour, you rushed to their aid without hesitation. On behalf of the Life Healthcare family, thank you for your altruism and being an example we all can emulate.

How you can help

One month on and the scale of the disaster is becoming clearer. Currently, 1.5 million people are homeless, hungry, and cold. People desperately need shelter, food, and clothing. The focus is on relocating people from tent cities into prefab homes so they can withstand the cold weather. There are also huge efforts underway to clear the rubble. An estimated 210 million tons of rubble need to be cleared - enough to fill 30 square kilometers. The psychological trauma will undoubtedly persist for some time, which also needs to be addressed.

To know more, or if you would like to help, please visit the Gift of the Givers Foundation website.