Search and Rescue
The land we live on is no stranger to earthquakes. On 17 August 1999, thousands of our citizens were trapped under the rubble in the Yalova earthquake. In the last 30 years, 2.3 million people lost their lives worldwide due to natural disasters alone. IHH Search and Rescue teams have set out from Turkey for extraordinary situations that have occurred in our country and in many parts of the world. The priority of these teams has always been to save a life. However, we are with the disaster victims in every field from food to shelter, from health to psychosocial support until their lives return to normal.
IHH Disaster Management provides services with various working groups in disasters. These are search and rescue, psychosocial support, nutrition, in-kind aid and warehouse management, communication and NGO and volunteer management working groups.
Search and Rescue
Established in 2009, our Search and Rescue Unit has participated in many national and international operations. We are constantly improving our teams and equipment in order to respond to disasters quickly and effectively.
In 2022 alone; we participated in 12 operations, 7 drills and 84 training organisations. In addition, 1 medium level and 7 light level teams were entitled to receive accreditation in the accreditation exam of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).
IHH Search and Rescue teams undergo many different trainings in order to gain competence. Search and rescue trainings in collapse, underwater and fire are taken in courses. Fire search and rescue trainings are given by expert teams accompanied by fire simulations created in the Fire Brigade Training Centre. Teams that receive trainings on evacuation of the wounded from the place where the fire occurs, the establishment of evacuation devices and similar trainings gain the ability to intervene specifically for the structure of the place.
In order to be able to perform search and rescue in collapse and debris, one-to-one search and rescue and search equipment use trainings are given in the debris area under the leadership of AFAD trainers. Teams receiving radio trainings to be used in disaster situations where communication collapses and telephone and internet networks do not work, gain competence in setting up a radio station and creating a communication network for disaster situations.
Underwater search and rescue trainings are carried out by performing search and rescue on targets in open pools and seas. Teams who also complete first aid trainings are qualified to intervene in different accidents and disasters.
These trainings are given in certain periods and at certain levels. Search and rescue trainings, which take many years to specialise, continue within IHH. So far, 2.100 people at different levels have received these trainings and are ready to respond to disasters.
REPORT
Upon the instruction of IHH Disaster Management Presidency to the teams in the provinces for disaster response, Search and Rescue and other activities were carried out in our provinces affected by the earthquake and a report was prepared. You can review the report by clicking here.
