The Civil Defence Organization will hold its Disaster Management and Response Drill in Gemikonağı on Thursday, October 17.

The exercise, based on a scenario involving a 7.6-magnitude earthquake occurring at a depth of 4km beneath the seabed, will run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

During a briefing held at the Civil Defence Social Facilities, Atilla Karaca, Head of the Civil Defence Organization, announced that this year’s drill will be of international scope and invited the public to observe the event.

Karaca highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of disasters due to global warming, as well as the risks posed by active fault lines around the island.

“Our mission, as entrusted by law, is to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken in the face of any disaster or emergency, prioritizing the safety of our people and minimizing loss of life and property,” Karaca said, emphasizing their efforts to carry out their duties effectively.

Karaca pointed to the February 6, 2023, earthquake in Türkiye as a stark reminder of the vital role civil defence plays in disaster response.

He stressed that comprehensive disaster and emergency management requires substantial technical, and logistical support, and expertise.

To enhance the organization’s capacity, Karaca said they have recently expanded their personnel and aimed to fully staff their teams, expressing gratitude to the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye for its support in staffing and modernizing equipment.

Karaca also recalled the joint training and exercise held in May with the Turkish Land Forces Logistics Command’s Humanitarian Aid Brigade at the Metehan Training and Exercise Area.

He noted that regional exercises have been conducted in Gazimağusa, İskele, Lefkoşa, and Girne, aiming to create a disaster-resilient society.

The international nature of this year’s drill will be underscored by the participation of Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Gendarmerie General Command’s Search and Rescue Battalion.

All residents are invited to witness the exercise in Gemikonağı.

Yusuf Eker, Director of Operations and Training, provided further details, emphasizing the importance of continuous preparedness throughout the disaster management cycle, which includes risk reduction, preparation, response, and recovery phases.

He noted that while last year’s drill was held in Girne, this year’s will take place in Gemikonağı, with partial drills ongoing in other regions of the island.