Turkey and Syria earthquakes – Cheshire firefighters join huge search and rescue effort

Cheshire firefighters have joined the huge search and rescue efforts in Turkey as the race to find survivors from the devastating earthquakes earlier this week continues.

According to the latest reports, more than 17,500 people have lost their lives and tens of thousands have been injured as a result of the two main earthquakes, which measured 7.8 and 7.5 on the Richter scale struck.

UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) team deployed flew to the region on Tuesday to assist in the rescue efforts.

Four firefighters from the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have joined the UKISAR team, made up of 77 search and rescue specialists, 4 search dogs, and necessary rescue equipment.

The team arrived in Gaziantep in southeast Turkey and is now working southwest of the city to search for survivors in the fallen buildings and rubble.

The UKISAR team is equipped with state-of-the-art search equipment, including seismic listening devices, concrete cutting and breaking equipment, and propping and shoring tools, allowing them to cut their way into buildings and locate survivors in the rubble.

They are self-sufficient, providing their own food, water, shelter, sanitation, communications, and equipment to undertake search and rescue operations.

According to a spokesperson for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, “The UKISAR team members arrived safely in Turkey on Tuesday night and are now deployed to assist in the rescue efforts.”

The spokesperson added, “The team is currently working to search through rubble southwest of Gaziantep in an effort to find any survivors.”

The death toll from Monday’s earthquakes continues to rise, and the “Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service extends its condolences to those affected by this tragedy.”

The UKISAR team’s deployment to Turkey is part of the larger UK-wide effort to provide assistance and support to those affected by the earthquakes.

Turkey and Syria earthquakes – UK charities launch emergency appeal

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), a coordinating body made up of 14 charity organisations, including the British Red Cross, Oxfam, and Save the Children, is leading the effort to provide aid and support to those in need. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

According to a statement released by the DEC, the earthquakes have caused widespread destruction, leaving many people homeless and in urgent need of shelter, food, water, and medical assistance. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The organisation is appealing to the public for donations to support their joint rapid response to the disaster. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The scale of the disaster is immense, and the need for assistance is great,” said DEC Chief Executive, Saleh Saeed. “We are working closely with our member agencies to provide life-saving aid and support to those affected by the earthquakes. We are appealing to the public for their support, so we can reach as many people as possible and help them through this incredibly difficult time.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The DEC is well-known for coordinating joint responses to major emergencies around the world, and has a track record of providing vital support to those affected by disaster. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The organisation works closely with local partners to ensure that aid and support reach those who need it most, as quickly and effectively as possible. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

As the world watches the aftermath of the earthquakes unfold, the DEC is urging the public to show their support and help those affected by making a donation. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The organisation has set up a dedicated website and helpline for those who would like to contribute. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Every donation, no matter how small, can make a real difference to those affected by this disaster,” said Saeed. “We are grateful for the generosity of the public and the support of our partner organisations, as we work together to provide much-needed assistance to those in need.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In the face of such a devastating disaster, the appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee highlights the importance of international cooperation and support in times of crisis. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The public is encouraged to visit the DEC website or call their helpline to learn more about how they can help those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​