—Photo: NDMA
Ankara: After the recent terrible earthquake in the southern part of Turkey, local and international teams under the slogan of “don’t lose hope” are continuing the relief activities, including two teams from Pakistan who are digging the ruins of the magnificent buildings in Adiyaman. The survivors are being brought out, bringing happiness to their families.
It should be noted that a devastating earthquake occurred in Turkey early this week, as a result of which more than 18,300 people died and thousands of buildings were destroyed.
A team of Pakistan Rescue 1122, comprising 52 personnel, arrived in Turkey on Tuesday, along with two teams of Pakistan Army volunteers comprising 33 soldiers, specially trained dogs and search and rescue equipment. Aid teams from Pakistan have rescued 5 survivors from under the rubble of residential buildings in Adyaman.
An official from the South Asian country said, “Pakistani soldiers brought joy to their families when they pulled two residents alive from the rubble, while members of Pakistan Rescue 1122 rescued three people from the rubble.” ‘.
Pakistan has sent three C-130 military transport planes to Adana province of Turkey, while two flights of Pakistan Airlines have reached Istanbul with search and rescue teams. Another C-130 aircraft will arrive with medical supplies, tents and blankets.
In addition to mobilizing its resources within Pakistan, Al-Khidmat Foundation has appealed to “Pakistanis living abroad, expatriates to come forward and help the people of Turkey and Syria,” said Abdul Shakoor, Vice President of Al-Khidmat Foundation.
“We have contacted Pakistanis in UK, USA, Europe, Australia and other countries to raise funds to meet the needs of people affected by these earthquakes,” he added.
He said that the Al-Khidmat team in Turkey also helped in tracing the Pakistani citizens living in the disaster area. “We identified around 40 students and 50-60 families,” Abdul Shakoor said.
Abdul Shakoor added that the Al-Khidmat Foundation has contacted about 30 students and “relocated some of them to Adana province and contacted their families in Pakistan.”
He said that Al-Khidmat Foundation has dispatched a 47-member search and rescue team from Pakistan to Turkey to help in the ongoing disaster relief efforts. Equipped with advanced search and rescue equipment, the crew was approved by Turkey’s AFAD.
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