QUEZON CITY, (PIA) - The Philippine Inter-Agency Contingent has started its search and rescue operations in Turkiye, the Office of the Civil Defense reported Friday.
In a press briefing, OCD Spokesperson Bernardo Raelito Alejandro IV said that the Contingent has been assigned to Adiyama where it set up base camp.
Adiyaman is a historic area in Southeastern Turkey in the central Euphrates river region.
The Contingent brought along 13,421 kilograms of medical supplies and equipment, field hospital tents and personal shelters, food rations, and other tools and equipment for collapsed structures search, rescue, and retrieval.
“We are confident that they (the Contingent) will accomplish and fulfill their mission,” said Assistant Secretary Alejandro.
The Contingent’s response teams were given two hours to comb an area to find and treat survivors.
Members may be down to 82 from 85 but Asec. Alejandro said the reduction will not affect the mission.
“We have sent the most experienced, qualified, and competent,” assured ASec Alejandro.
In a press release, OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said, "The Philippine Contingent remains dedicated and ready for their mission to help the People of Turkiye and all the victims of this tragic earthquake, despite all the challenges they met since they left the Philippines and the harsh and extreme weather they will experience."
The Contingent went through a nearly 20 hours trip: two succeeding flights and a bus ride from Manila to Istanbul, then to Adana and up to Adiyaman.
"Our team in Turkiye is well coordinated with the Turkish Government and with our embassy officials. This strong coordination facilitated the smooth arrival and operations in the designated area in Turkiye thereby ensuring adherence to international standards," Undersecretary Nepomuceno added.
The Philippines, upon instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., responded to the international call for assistance.
At least, 6,479 teams from various countries are participating in the massive humanitarian efforts in earthquake-ravaged areas in Turkey and even neighboring Syria.
Buildings toppled and buried people in rubbles after a magnitude of 7.7 on February 6, according to the Republic of Turkiye’s Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).
The AFAD Bulletin No. 21 (February 9, 2023, as of 8:50 am, Turkish Time) said 17,134 dead and 70, 347 injured.
Since February 6, 1,330 earthquakes have taken place including another quake (magnitude 7.6) that occurred in Elbistan, a district in Kahramanmaraş Province. (LP)
