The Turkiye earthquake resulted in an outpouring of donations and help being sent from every part of the world. Malaysia is one of the countries who has been extremely generous and have sent millions in donations as well as rescue teams.
As a gesture of appreciation, supporters of Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor paid an emotional tribute to emergency rescue workers from Malaysia and other countries following the devastating earthquake by unveiling a massive tifo depicting an image of an emergency worker rescuing a baby from the rubble.
Recently, Lieutenant-General Datuk Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh who was in Turkiye in the Op Starlight mission to build the Malaysian Field Hospital (HMM) shared his experience.
In an interview with BERNAMA, the Armed Forces Health Services director-general shared how a roadside kebab was the mantelpiece of many moving stories about the people of Turkiye who seemed eternally grateful for the presence of 106 medical personnel.
Recalling the episode, Dr Zulkeffeli who just returned to Malaysia 2 days ago, said he and his team were shuttling from Gaziantep, one of the worst-hit areas at ground zero, to HMM in Adiyaman and decidedly stopped at a kebab stall.
On learning that the team was from Malaysia, the kebab seller refused to accept a single lira, despite their own utter desolation.
“They would say ‘thank you’ in any way imaginable. Turkiye people welcomed our presence. Although our contribution is small, the government’s initiative to send a medical team paints a picture of boundless brotherhood that we will help in times of trouble regardless of national borders.”
In addition, he and his team were also visited by a troop of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from Cappadocia about 500km from Adiayaman, who came to HMM to personally express their appreciation to the Malaysian team involved in the mission.
“Even from the time of our touchdown at Istanbul airport when we were about to pray, this elderly gentleman was praying in profuse supplication for our team so that our aid mission would face no obstructions. There were also Umrah pilgrims just landed from Makkah who gave us bread,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian team also received help from various NGOs and individuals who offered services such as translation, providing petrol for generator sets, special hats for winter, food and much more.
“There were also NGOs descending on the villages to bring patients in need of treatment to us. We were in effect acting as a referral hospital, considering that there is an existing hospital nearby that was affected by the earthquake.”
Dr Zulkeffeli also commended all the MAF personnel and medical officers who remained highly spirited in the face of adversity like the freezing temperatures, rudimentary shelter and lack of winter clothing to face the bitter chill.
“I am very proud of those who gave their full responsibility and strength to help the victims of the earthquake in Turkiye,” he added.
We would like to thank our Malaysian heroes for their efforts.
