11 Days Helping Evacuate Turkey Earthquake Victims, Indonesian SAR Team Returns to Indonesia

The Indonesian Search and Rescue Team (SAR) or INASAR arrived in Indonesia (BNPB / VOI Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Search And Rescue team (SAR) or INASAR ended their humanitarian work after 12 days on duty to help evacuate earthquake victims in the Antakya area, Hatay Province, Turkey.

Hatay Province is the area most affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked southeastern Turkey on February 6.

The INASAR team returned to Indonesia on a Garuda Indonesia flight on Wednesday, February 22 evening. The INASAR team consists of 50 people, accompanied by 3 SAR dogs.

While on duty since 12 February 2023 in Antakya, the INASAR team managed to evacuate 15 bodies of Turkiye earthquake victims, 2 of which were Indonesian citizens who were found in Diyarbakir. The total operating time of the personnel alternately reached more than 100 hours.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy appreciated INASAR's work because this team was able to contribute to international humanitarian tasks under United Nations (UN) coordination.

"The mission carried out by INASAR is gaining trust as a representative of Indonesia and internationally. This is part of the UN mission", said Muhadjir, quoted on Thursday, 23 February.

Post-earthquake SAR teams from various countries with medium and heavy International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (Insarag) qualifications worked under the USAR Coordination Cell command and then on a smaller scope in the Section Coordination Cell.

With the end of the golden time period in search and rescue, the activities are being coordinated by Turkey's disaster management agency or AFAD.

Furthermore, Muhadjir said there were plans to increase the qualifications of the INASAR team going forward at the heavy level from Insarag. He said President Joko Widodo had agreed to push for this heavy qualification according to international standards under the United Nations.

"The president has ordered me to discuss the budget allocation so that there is a specific policy", he said.