PHL’s mission of compassion

coming days in coordination with local rescuers whom they are aiding with their search operations techniques and equipment in locating survivors of the quake.

He stressed that they are “physically capable” of doing their mission. Diploma also remains confident that their collaboration with local rescuers will be rewarded by a successful and safe retrieval of trapped earthquake victims. All efforts are being maximized to ensure that they cover as much ground as possible in the coming days, he added.

Initial reports indicated that Adiyaman was hard hit by the earthquake, and had many buildings toppled by the tremor, trapping a large number of people.

Meanwhile, PEMAT head Dr. Alfonso Danac said they are very motivated to help despite this being their first mission abroad. He added that they are well trained for these kinds of incidents.

We are prepared for this, although this is our first international deployment. Despite all the challenges, the team is very well motivated,” Danac said.

R anny Magno, the head of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority USAR team attached to the PIAHC, said contingent members are all in “high morale” as they were able to provide much-needed assistance to the affected people.

He is confident they are doing a good job in probing “collapsed structures” to determine whether there are survivors inside.

Hospitality amid tragedy

THE Turkish people are hospitable to them despite the tragedy. And while Filipinos are hard to beat when it comes to hospitality, the Turkish citizens whom the Philippine contingent are helping managed to surprise them by demonstrating their own brand of welcome.

Magno recounted how Adiyaman residents they encountered were quick to offer them food. This is despite the fact that the Philippine contingent brought its own food rations so as not to further strain whatever is left for the local citizens.

“Most impressive is that they are so hospitable, even if we have our own food rations, they still provide us with water and meals,” he narrated. This includes offerings of hot tea, which Magno says seems to be the Turkish beverage of choice as it is very useful in warming one’s body amid the subfreezing temperature.

First on the ground

THE Filipino rescuers arrived in Adiyaman on February 9 and started operations right the next day. The PIAHC left for Turkey on February 8, arriving in the Turkish capital of Istanbul the next day.

According to the OCD, one major challenge facing the team is the extreme cold weather condition, which also affects their equipment. Another is the language barrier, but interpreters are present in the area of operations.

Despite this, the PIAHC is still going about its search and rescue mission for those believed still trapped in the rubble and providing health care to those injured.

The team provides the necessary assessment of victims in the area. Vitamins as well as prescription medicines, depending on their needs, are provided to the patients.

The Turkish government is very thankful because the Philippine contingent was the first medical team that responded four days after the incident,” the OCD said. PIAHC brought with them 13,412 kilograms of cargo consisting of medical supplies and equipment, field hospital tents, personnel shelters, search, rescue and retrieval equipment, food rations, and engineering tools and equipment for collapsed structure search and rescue.

The OCD said PIAHC has two types of teams and these are the socalled “Type 1 Emergency Medical Team,” which provides outpatient initial emergency care of injuries and other significant health care needs, and the “Composite Medium Urban Search and Rescue Team,” which is deployed for all collapsed or failed structures, includes search and rescue operations for heavy timber, reinforced masonry construction or steel frames.

The Department of National Defense and OCD also procured 11,205 blankets, 5,000 bonnets and 420 gloves for donation to the earthquake victims.

Turkey appreciates PHL assistance MEANWHILE, Turkey’s Ambassador to the Philippines Niyazi Evren Akyol on February 13 thanked the Philippine government and the Filipino people for sending people and resources to aid his country.

The envoy expressed his country’s gratitude to the Filipino people after House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez turned over $100,000 in financial assistance for Turkey’s earthquake victims in simple rites held at the Speaker’s Office at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

Th e fund came from the Speaker’s Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Initiative launched during his 59th birthday celebration last November 14 to help disaster victims.

“ You know in an event like this, it’s very good to know you have your friends on your side,” Akyol said. Amid the disaster, the envoy said the people of Turkey are consoled by the fact that the international community has come out really strong to help them, with 99 countries offering assistance to date.

“And we have on the ground almost 10,400 rescue workers, and of course the Philippines is one of the major contributors. On that note I would like to express my government’s and my personal heartfelt gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his leadership, for his swift instruction for Philippine authorities to get into action,” Akyol said.

He noted that within 48 hours of the disaster, there was a Philippine search and rescue and medical team of 82 young Filipino “heroes” in Turkey, braving extreme cold to provide assistance.

In addition, he said the Philippine Red Cross led by its chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon has also provided assistance to the earthquake victims.