Survivors need help, Muslims and non-Muslims are urged to offer aid as soon as possible. (Reuters)

By Fatima Asmal, IOL Correspondent

DURBAN, October 11, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – South African Muslims, along with the government, rushed Tuesday, October 11, to join the rest of Muslims and world countries in alleviating the sufferings of thousands of Pakistanis, who bore the brunt of the killer earthquake that killed tens of thousands.

A South African government sponsored flight -- carrying a contingent of fifteen medical specialists from the Gift of the Givers humanitarian organisation, armed with 36 tonnes of supplies – was to leave for Pakistan later Tuesday (19:00 South African time), in a joint aid effort.

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, which also sponsored the supplies, said that the medical contingent is made up of Pakistani nationals based in South Africa, many of whom hail from areas directly affected by the quake.

“They are all volunteers and included in the group are trauma surgeons, general surgeons, paediatric and orthopaedic surgeons and psychologists,” he told IOL.

He added that the cargo worth 2.2 million rands [SA Currency] (about $350,000) included 700 tents, 10 000 blankets and medicine worth more than R500,000.

The team would be received by a Lieutenant General from the Pakistani army, who would assist them in determining where to focus their activities, he said.

“The Pakistani Embassy has accorded full support to us diplomatically and operationally.”

Medicine

One of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in Pakistan which has already set up two camps to assist the critically injured would arrange the Gift of the Givers team’s warehousing, logistics and accommodation, he said.

“The greatest support is coming from Macter Pharmaceuticals. They are in dire need of medical personnel especially orthopaedic surgeons.”

Dr Sooliman added that a further three million rand (about $500,000) was also released from one of his organisation’s emergency funds, and that this money would be used to purchase more tents as well as blankets, food, medicines and cooking utensils which had already been sourced in Pakistan.

“The combined efforts of our different teams is going to exceed ten million rand (about $1.5 million) in relief,” he said.

“The Pakistani people have poured out their gratitude on hearing of our impending mission.”

The 7.6 magnitude quake that hit the subcontinent Saturday, October 8, has killed tens of thousands in Pakistan alone.

The killer earth quake centered its wrath in northern Pakistan and Pakistani-held Kashmir, a mountainous region where untold numbers of children were entombed when schools and houses collapsed under the worst quake to hit Pakistan in decades.

Meanwhile, Mr Yacoob Vahed, national coordinator of Al-Imdaad Foundation, another South African-based humanitarian body, said that a consignment of 1,500 tents, 5,000 blankets, as well as cooking stoves and kitchen utensils and sets were on their way from Dubai to Islamabad where they would be received by an Al-Imdaad team, and taken to Muzafarrabad, one of the worst hit areas.

“Our team will get there and report back to us, after which we’ll be able to identify further middle term and long term needs, and send more aid over,” he told IOL.

He added that Al-Imdaad would register with the United Nations, as per usual, saying that there were benefits attached to doing so.

“For example, free helicopters are made available to transport aid.”

Al-Imdaad Foundation was in constant contact with Pakistan and the news was getting more and more grim each time, he added.

“Entire villages have been wiped off the earth.  Some are not accessible at all.  It’s too early to comment on the total extent of the devastation.”

More than 40,000 people are feared dead in Pakistan alone, with reports Tuesday speaking of a death toll that could soar to over a hundred thousand bodies.