The 82-member Philippine humanitarian contingent arrived in Turkey past Thursday noon to assist ongoing search and rescue operations following the 7.8 magnitude Syria-Turkey earthquake.
According to the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), they will go to Adana to begin their mission.
“Initially, merong 18 buildings doon na nag collapse as per report and kaya doon sila ma-assign,” OCD Spokesperson Asec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said.
“Capable naman sila of doing collapse structure search and rescue,” he added.
Around 16,000 fatalities were recorded in Turkey and Syria due to the earthquake.
The humanitarian team is determined to complete its mission despite the situation in Turkey.
“We are very adaptable naman kasi medyo malaki ‘yung aming battery sa USAR (urban search and rescue), may kakayahan kami mag-medical, may kakayahan kaming mag-fill trauma, may kakayahan kami for environmental emergency like hypothermia,” Urban Search and Rescue member Dr. Ted Esguerra said.
The government of Turkey thanked the Philippines for the “generosity of the assistance we are receiving.”
“We welcome any and all help extended by all members of international community. We are in general, grateful for the swift and comprehensive response of the international community,” Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines Niyazi Akyol said.
There are currently more than 60 countries that are assisting Turkey.
Meanwhile, the OCD confirmed that the Philippines received a flash appeal from Syria to assist them, which was sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday night.
“That is what we are evaluating with DFA, of course kung whether we can send another contingent or send donations or relief items,” Alejandro said. – Report from Bea Bernardo/KC-ag
