Punjab govt to send rescue team to Turkiye

Squad briefed about situation, requirements in quake-hit areas

LAHORE:

The Punjab government will send a 52-member rescue and relief team to Turkiye to immediately start operations in the areas affected by a massive earthquake.

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi telephoned Ambassador of Turkiye Dr Mehmet Paçaci on Monday and expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the loss of lives and property caused by the earthquake.

“Pakistan stands with the brothers and sisters of Turkiye in the hour of trial,” he added.

The caretaker chief minister conveyed his sincere condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones and expressed his profound sadness at the losses. He empathised with those affected by the earthquake.

He also prayed for quick recovery of the injured.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 Secretary Rizwan Naseer gave a go ahead to the 52-member specialised search and rescue team to leave for Turkiye after the approval from the Punjab government and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). He said the United Nations certified Pakistan Rescue Team was leaving for immediate support work. The prime minister had issued directions in this regard to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Naseer said the Pakistan Rescue Team, consisting of 52 members, being mobilised to respond to the disaster has expertise in conducting technical and manual search of collapsed buildings, search and locate victims and provide on-site emergency medical treatment.

The team has been established according to the UN International Search and Rescue Advisory Group guidelines and comprises of the team commander, leader, deputy leader for planning and coordination, and three search and rescue squads along with medical, logistic and communication teams.

The team leader briefed the members about the existing situation after the disaster, logistic requirements, safety and security conditions. After three hours, the team was inspected and it went through all required standard operating procedures to respond as an international team.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2023.