Prime Minister Ünal Üstel on Thursday presented personnel from the Civil Defence Organisation who took part in search and rescue efforts in earthquake stricken areas in Türkiye with certificates of appreciation.

Üstel highlighted the importance of strengthening the organisation’s infrastructure and said that the government was determined in achieving this.

The Civil Defence team who took part in search and rescue efforts in Türkiye following last week’s devastating earthquakes were honoured for their contributions with certificates handed to them on Thursday by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.

Speaking at the ceremony which began with a minutes silence for all those who lost their lives, the prime minister praised the Civil Defence Organisation and its services to the Turkish Cypriot people.

“The Civil Defence Organisation rushes to everyone’s aid in times of need. The men and women who rushed to help those affected by the devastating earthquakes are our source of pride,” Üstel said.

He said that the head of the Civil Defence Organisation had called him shortly after the first earthquake requesting permission to head out to Türkiye to assist in recovery and rescue efforts.

“We were able to send a team of 31 men, technical equipment and other supplies with a plane to Adıyaman several hours after the quake hit. There were also others who were able to reach the affected areas through other means,” Üstel said.

The prime minister said that although the team could not save anyone alive from the rubble of Isias Hotel in Adıyaman, they had still carried out their duties of recovering the bodies of those who lost their lives and returning them to the island and their families.

Explaining that 60 personnel who had taken part in various search and rescue efforts in different cities and towns in Türkiye had now returned to the TRNC.

“We still have 10 personnel and other volunteers who are working in Türkiye. I would like to thank them once again for their sacrifices,” he said.

Prime Minister Üstel also underlined the importance of strengthening the Civil Defence Organisation’s infrastructure, renewing its technical equipment and machinery and increasing its number of search and rescue workers.

The prime minister also praised the Turkish Cypriot people who rushed to the aid of their brothers and sisters in Türkiye.

He said that 84 trucks of aid had been sent to the earthquake stricken areas of Türkiye and that more assistance was on the way.