This Exercises were organized by the IHH Disaster Management Department to prepare for potential disasters as well as to maintain and sharpen the operational capabilities of search and rescue teams, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the August 17, 1999 earthquake in Türkiye. 

The scenario involved a hypothetical 6.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Marmara Sea, affecting all of Istanbul. Volunteers carried out search and rescue operations in simulated areas with 125,000 severe, 169,000 moderate, and 206,000 light damage to homes.

Exercises in six different region

The exercises, coordinated from the IHH Emre Yerli Disaster Management and Logistics Center in Tuzla, included operations in Yeşilköy, Akfırat, Oruçoğlu, Süreyyapaşa, Hacıllı, and Beykoz.

Among the 53 participating teams, one had been awarded with heavy, two with moderate, and 17 with light level AFAD accreditation, while the remaining 33 teams are still undergoing the accreditation process.

On the second day of the exercises a press conference was held 

On the second day of the exercises, a press conference was held to share information about the program. The press conference was attended by Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Düzce Governor Selçuk Aslan, IHH President Bülent Yıldırım, Adalar District Governor Abdurrahman İnan, AFAD Volunteerism and Civil Society Relations Department Head Hüseyin Ceven, AFAD Risk Reduction Department Head Abdulkadir Tezcan, AFAD Temporary Shelter and Logistics Depot Management Department Head Güray Karakaya, AFAD Civil Defense Department Head Gürkan Tepekıran, Istanbul AFAD Director Prof. Dr. Haluk Özener, and Tuzla Police Chief Fatih Tilki.

The successful search and Rescue exercises concluded on Sunday.