Punjab government to send a rescue team to Turkey. 52 members of a rescue and relief team will be sent by the Punjab government to Turkiye to begin helping those in need as soon as possible.
On Monday, interim chief minister Mohsin Naqvi called Turkish ambassador Dr Mehmet Paçaci to convey his profound grief and sorrow over the earthquake-related loss of life and property.
“Pakistan stands with the brothers and sisters of Turkiye in the hour of trial,” he added.
The interim chief minister expressed his deep sorrow over the losses and sent his sincere condolences to the families who had lost loved ones. He sympathised with those affected by the earthquake. He also prayed for the injured to get better quickly.
In the meantime, after receiving approval from the Punjab government and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Rescue 1122 Secretary Rizwan Naseer granted the go-ahead for the 52-member specialised search and rescue team to depart for Turkiye (PDMA). He said that the Pakistan Rescue Team, recognised by the UN, was departing for immediate support work. The National Disaster Management Authority had received instructions in this regard from the prime minister (NDMA).
Punjab government to send a rescue team to Turkey as Mr Naseer said that the Pakistan Rescue Team, consisting of 52 members, being mobilised to respond to the disaster has expertise in conducting technical and manual searches of collapsed buildings, searching and locating victims and providing on-site emergency medical treatment.
The team, which was formed in accordance with the standards of the UN International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, consists of the team commander, leader, deputy leader for planning and coordination, three search and rescue squads, as well as medical, logistic, and communication teams.
The team leader informed the participants of the post-disaster situation, logistical needs, and safety and security concerns. The team underwent inspection and the necessary standard operating procedures to respond as an international team after three hours.
