THE government will send a second team of professionals to quake-devastated Haiti, an international relations spokesperson said yesterday.
THE government will send a second team of professionals to quake-devastated Haiti, an international relations spokesperson said yesterday.
Spokesperson Saul Molobi said the team would comprise mainly forensic pathologists who would identify bodies.
"We are not sure exactly when they will be sent. We are waiting for a report back from Rescue South Africa who are doing groundwork in the country," he said.
The South African team already in Haiti included about 40 people, mainly medical staff and engineers. It had taken 10 tons of search and rescue equipment as well as medical supplies.
Molobi said South Africa would follow this up with other aid, like food and more medicine. It also hoped to raise R30million in aid.
The City of Tshwane and charity Gift of the Givers had also sent rescue teams.
According to estimates, last Tuesday's 7-magnitude quake claimed the lives of at least 100000 people.
Molobi said former Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide had not yet received an invitation to return home. Last week Aristide - who came to live in exile in South Africa with his family after his ousting as president in 2004 - has expressed a desire to go home.
"As far as we are concerned we are ready to leave today, tomorrow, at any time to join the people of Haiti, to share in their suffering, help rebuild the country, moving from misery to poverty with dignity," Aristide said.
Molobi said Aristide would need to receive a formal invitation to be allowed home and would not be involved in politics once there.
"When he goes back he is not going back to a political office. He will just be going there to contribute through academia and civil interventions," Molobi said.
Meanwhile, the Gift of the Givers has organised a series of interfaith services in Johannesburg starting tomorrow. The NGO, which already has a team in Haiti, said yesterday the services will be at Mayfair's Christ Church until Saturday.
SECOND AID TEAM FOR QUAKE VICTIMS
THE government will send a second team of professionals to quake-devastated Haiti, an international relations spokesperson said yesterday.
THE government will send a second team of professionals to quake-devastated Haiti, an international relations spokesperson said yesterday.
Spokesperson Saul Molobi said the team would comprise mainly forensic pathologists who would identify bodies.
"We are not sure exactly when they will be sent. We are waiting for a report back from Rescue South Africa who are doing groundwork in the country," he said.
The South African team already in Haiti included about 40 people, mainly medical staff and engineers. It had taken 10 tons of search and rescue equipment as well as medical supplies.
Molobi said South Africa would follow this up with other aid, like food and more medicine. It also hoped to raise R30million in aid.
The City of Tshwane and charity Gift of the Givers had also sent rescue teams.
According to estimates, last Tuesday's 7-magnitude quake claimed the lives of at least 100000 people.
Molobi said former Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide had not yet received an invitation to return home. Last week Aristide - who came to live in exile in South Africa with his family after his ousting as president in 2004 - has expressed a desire to go home.
"As far as we are concerned we are ready to leave today, tomorrow, at any time to join the people of Haiti, to share in their suffering, help rebuild the country, moving from misery to poverty with dignity," Aristide said.
Molobi said Aristide would need to receive a formal invitation to be allowed home and would not be involved in politics once there.
"When he goes back he is not going back to a political office. He will just be going there to contribute through academia and civil interventions," Molobi said.
Meanwhile, the Gift of the Givers has organised a series of interfaith services in Johannesburg starting tomorrow. The NGO, which already has a team in Haiti, said yesterday the services will be at Mayfair's Christ Church until Saturday.
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