Turkey Rushes to the Aid of Earthquake Victims in Albania
A Turkish team coordinated by Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) is undertaking search, rescue, health and humanitarian work in Albania hit by an earthquake measuring 6.2. A team of 15 AFAD Search and Rescue experts returned home after serving at the location of Durres which was the epicenter of the quake. The team searched for survivors in the wreckage of the quake. The National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) staff of the Health Ministry provided health services for the victims. Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Turkish Red Crescent helped to provide emergency humanitarian services. The Turkish aid team provided 740 AFAD family type tents 740 tents, 2,900 blankets, 300 beds, 150 heaters, 100 hygiene sets and also 2.100 food parcels to the quake victims. While food parcels were distributed to earthquake victims, some of the tents were set up. The distribution of other aid materials is in progress.
Stating that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called him several times about the developments in the field, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama defined the AFAD team working as 'Savior Angels' until the last missing person was found. Rama went on to say:
“When our teams were exhausted, they became our savior angels who descended from the sky. They did their best within this period.
Very Fast Response from Turkey to Albania’s Call for Help
Under the coordination of AFAD, Turkey acted quickly to rescue victims in Albania, to treat and survive. 10 hours after the Albania's call for help, the Turkish Team was in the region. Turkey responded the call by delivering, 27-person search and rescue, health, humanitarian and media team to the region in 10 hours.
The Turkish Team, including members of AFAD, Ministry of Health UMKE, Turkish Red Crescent and Anadolu Agency has worked in the field since the first evening of the earthquake. While AFAD was making an effort to save lives with 3 AFAD Search and Rescue Tool the Anatolian Agency worked to announce the events to the world. The AFAD Humanitarian Aid Team conducted needs analysis and distributed food parcels.
Evacuation and Transfer Operations for Turkish Citizens in Albania
Under the coordination of AFAD 23 Turkish citizens affected by the earthquake in Albania have brought back to Turkey with the evacuation and transfer operations. On the first night, 16 citizens were flown to Izmir and the rest were sent to their homes and came together with their families. The wounded citizen were brought to Izmir by ambulance airplane that belongs to the Ministry of Health, referred to hospital and operated.
About the Earthquake in Albania
An earthquake measuring 6.2 hit Durres city of Albania, 30 km away from the capital Tirana, on November 26 at 5.54 local time in Turkey. From the first moment, The Turkish Embassy in Tirana briefed AFAD about the intensity of the earthquake. 51 people were dead and 913 people were injured. Many buildings were damaged. Approximately 5 thousand people became homeless. National and international teams saved at least 45 people from the wreckage.
