The Republic of Moldova’s urban search-and-rescue team USAR was awarded with the ‘Medal of Gratitude’ by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on April 25th, 2023, for its support and assistance in dealing with the consequences of the earthquake of Februarie 6th, 2023.
Commander of the national team, Deputy Head of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, Lieutenant Colonel Alexandr Tatarov attended the solemn event dedicated to all the rescuers who contributed to dealing with the consequences of the earthquake.
The large-scale ceremony took place at the Presidential Complex in Turkey’s capital, where representatives from more than 80 countries have come to the aid of the Turkish people since the first hours after the devastating earthquake. The event was organised with the support of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority AFAD under the Turkish Ministry of Interior.
The team of the Republic of Moldova, represented by its commander, has received the ‘Medal of Gratitude’ of the Republic of Turkey for the assistance and support provided. The Turkish leadership officially thanked the rescuers for their dedication, courage, and self-sacrifice in saving lives and helping to recover the victims of the tragic earthquake.
We recall that the Republic of Moldova acted promptly by undertaking a rescue mission in Hatay province. The Moldovan rescuers, involving 56 people, 12 technical units and two special dogs trained for such situations, succeeded in the first hours once they had arrived at their destination to recover from the ruins of the damaged blocks a 3-year-old child, alive and unharmed. Moreover, during their stay in the affected area, they assessed more than 220 blocks of flats, where 18 dead people were identified.
