The devastating earthquake of February 6, 2023, which struck southern and southwestern Türkiye, reshaped disaster management strategies across the country.

Among the organizations rising to the challenge is Hope Caravan, which has established a search and rescue team in Siirt to respond to potential natural disasters more effectively.

The move marks a pivotal shift in the organization's disaster management strategy, driven by the harsh lessons learned from the recent seismic disaster.

Ramazan Tokdemir, President of Siirt Hope Caravan, underscored the importance of this initiative, noting that the unpreparedness of society in the earthquake-affected regions highlighted the critical need for more robust search and rescue operations. "The great destruction in 11 provinces left deep traces in everyone's memory," Tokdemir remarked, acknowledging the earthquake as "the disaster of the century" which exposed significant deficiencies in life-saving operations.

The new search and rescue team in Siirt has undergone a rigorous five-day training program, with Tokdemir expressing optimism about their future certification. "Today, as Siirt Hope Caravan, we have successfully completed the 5-day training of our search and rescue team. After this training, we will hopefully pass our exam and receive our certificates," he stated, indicating that this team represents a new chapter for Hope Caravan, both domestically and internationally.

Tokdemir emphasized the organization's commitment to expanding its disaster response framework across Türkiye. "We have started to establish search and rescue teams in all provinces," he announced, aiming for a more professional and widespread approach to disaster management. This move is part of a broader effort to mitigate the impacts of future natural calamities, given Türkiye's geographical predisposition to earthquakes.

The collaboration with AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency) and other non-governmental organizations is central to Hope Caravan's strategy. Tokdemir expressed gratitude towards AFAD, acknowledging their crucial role and urging others to join in similar training and efforts. "Our country is an earthquake zone, we should not forget this fact," he warned, stressing the importance of preparedness to potentially save lives and protect communities.

The establishment of this team not only signifies a step forward in disaster response but also serves as a reminder of the lessons from past tragedies. The focus is now on readiness, with Hope Caravan aiming to act swiftly and effectively in the face of future disasters. This initiative reflects a broader societal awakening to the need for enhanced emergency response capabilities, ensuring that the horrors of the February 6 earthquake are not repeated due to lack of preparation.

Through this proactive stance, Hope Caravan is setting a precedent for other organizations and communities across Türkiye to follow, fostering a culture of readiness and resilience against the ever-present threat of earthquakes. (ILKHA)