Gift of the Givers to Dispatch Search & Rescue Specialists to Nepal As More Than 1,000 Die in Floods
- Gift of the Givers is preparing to dispatch a team of specialists to Nepal following the deadly floods
- Six South Africans remain missing after catastrophic flash floods devastated communities in the country
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the humanitarian organisation's decision to assist
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Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
South African humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers is preparing to send 35 search and rescue specialists to Nepal, where devastating flash floods have killed more than 1,000 people and left thousands more unaccounted for.
The organisation announced on 31 August 2026 that it had increased its deployment team and was preparing critical equipment while awaiting official clearance to enter the affected region. The team will be supported by four K9 search dogs, with the possibility of adding more depending on conditions on the ground.
Six South Africans remain missing
The urgency behind the mission is personal for South Africans. Six citizens remain missing following the disaster, all of them from KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
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Among the missing are Vivaganathan Pillay (66) and his wife Janet (56) from Ladysmith, who were travelling with Alpine Eco Trek and Expedition. A second Ladysmith couple, Surendranath (74) and Anita (67), were on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route when contact was lost. Terricia Govender, a 33-year-old data analyst from Isipingo, was on the same route. Barika Ramjee (43) from East London is also unaccounted for.
South Africans rally behind the team
Social media users responded with an outpouring of support and prayers for the rescue team ahead of their mission.
Roosdeen Satar wrote:
"Gift of the Givers, you are stronger than countries. Born in South Africa but providing for the world. May God bless you and keep you on the path of Shariah."
Nas Dominique Peerbhai said:
"I pray for safe travelling mercies. May God watch over and protect each member during this mission."
Veena Ramdeen wrote:
"Salute to Gift of the Givers for always placing humanity first."
Barken Moodley shared:
"I pray for you guys to go well. Helping your fellow mankind has no distinction in race or religion. It's about compassion and love that will heal our planet. Stay safe, SA team."
Ragini Konar added:
"God bless you, Gift of the Givers. Pray we get our people safely back to South Africa, and all those still missing, we pray for your safety as well. Thank you to your amazing team. Wishing you a safe return."
Gift of the Givers confirms that Sulosh Pillay is safe
Gift of the Givers confirmed that South African Sulosh Pillay is safe at a retreat in Tibet following catastrophic Nepal-Tibet border floods.
Sulosh is one of seven South Africans found safe, but six others from the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route remain unaccounted for.
Briefly News reported that Gift of the Givers had an 11-member search and rescue team on standby as families of the missing wait for news.
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Source: Briefly News
