This article was sent to me from the lovely lady on cycle dare 177...one of the little moments of magic that happens from the blue.. In 1991, due to the sanctions imposed against South Africa because of their Apartheid system, I was involved in the supply of medicines to Medecines sans Frontieres who at the time, I believe, were based in Johannesburg. As the U.K. was the one country not to have imposed sanctions against South Africa, the Export/Import company in Johannesburg, for whom I was an Airfrieght/Seafrieght operator, was able to import, from America and other supply countries via the U.K. essential medical supplies which MSF required but could not have accessed directly. The goods would come to South Africa to be either flown or trucked to Mozambique to MSF over the border. Co-ordination of arrivals and departues was a nightmare! Every completed shipment was a minor miracle. The war between Mozambique and South Africa was a very real one and MSF were treating casualties on both sides. Nobody these days remembers that South Africa was fighting for its existence. Young men, black and white were dying, refugees poured over the border throught the game parks and border posts, the hospitals were full of casualties. The services of MSF were absolutely essential, an organisation which was prepared to help both sides. It was not easy to cross the border, trucks would be stopped, searched, ransacked and the drivers often had to pay bribes to the border guards before being allowed on their way. Sometimes the guards made the drivers get out and do military drill in the sun.......a game not only used on MSF but on some of the big construction companies who were trying to improve their roads. I oftern used to wonder why they bothered. The trucks were often fired upon and some drivers were killed or injured, attested by the bullet ridden trucks which used to come and collect their freight from our yard, not having even had time to repair the damage or clean up the blood. MSF is an organisation which, to me, definitely proved that they would go the extra mile and I hope that they will find all the funding which they need to continue the good work. Dorothy Woods Woodbridge
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 07:15:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015