The search and rescue unit of the Hope Caravan Association in Ağrı has successfully completed comprehensive disaster response training conducted by Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), significantly enhancing its readiness for natural disasters and emergencies in the region.

The intensive training program covered critical skills, including basic disaster awareness, debris search and rescue, first aid, and crisis management, equipping the team to respond effectively to earthquakes, floods, and other regional risks. According to a statement from the association, the initiative aims to ensure swift and coordinated interventions during emergencies.

Deniz Koçuk, a representative of the Hope Caravan Association, underscored the vital role of trained local teams in saving lives. “With AFAD’s support, we’ve greatly strengthened our professional capacity,” Koçuk said. “Our mission is to minimize casualties through rapid, coordinated action.”

Koçuk also emphasized the importance of community involvement, noting that the association operates on a voluntary basis. He called on Ağrı residents to support the initiative and announced plans for ongoing training sessions, seminars, and public drills to boost disaster awareness across the province. “Disasters can strike at any time,” Koçuk warned. “Preparedness requires collective action and social sensitivity.”

With its newly trained personnel and enhanced coordination with AFAD, the Hope Caravan Association is now better equipped to handle emergencies in Ağrı and surrounding areas, reinforcing the importance of grassroots efforts in Türkiye’s broader disaster resilience strategy. (ILKHA)