Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, together with Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca, made a statement at the Emergency Coordination Center in Hatay, where search and rescue efforts continue after the earthquakes that affected 10 provinces and the epicenter of Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş.
Stating that the Mehmetçik continues to do their best in the field, Minister Akar said, “We are making every effort to achieve this struggle in the best way by providing personnel from the entire 2nd Army and the units of the TAF in the west.” he said.
Noting that in addition to the Mehmetçi, existing workers and technical personnel from military factories, shipyards and MKE were brought to the region, Minister Akar continued as follows:
“From the first moment of the earthquake, we created this Emergency Crisis Center for our Ministry. Since then, we have been coordinating our work and developing it rapidly. After the establishment of this crisis center, we first established the aid bridge with our Air Force in order to provide the dispatch of the needed personnel and materials. This bridge is still working. In this sense, we have mobilized all our aircraft and within this framework, we continue to support this personnel and material transfer with more than 500 aircraft sorties.”
Minister Akar also stated that 41 of the available helicopters are currently in use and planning is being made to use them when needed.
Stating that the adverse weather conditions seriously delayed the air activities at the beginning, Minister Akar said that both planes and helicopters have been working comfortably in the region for the last two days.
HATAY HAALANI WILL BEGIN ACTIVITY ASAP
Stating that the aircraft carried out its activities here by making 180 sorties yesterday, Minister Akar said, "At the moment, the only problematic airport in the earthquake zone is Hatay Airport, our friends are working very hard, and it will start operating as soon as possible." said.
Minister Akar, who stated that they will continue to provide the necessary support to Hatay much faster once the Hatay Airport becomes operational, said that they are trying to gather domestic and international activities especially in Incirlik, and that they also use Gaziantep Airport in this way.
Minister Hulusi Akar, explaining that they deliver the incoming materials and personnel by road or air, and the urgent issues to the points related to helicopters, said, “So far, technical personnel, especially the search and rescue teams from Turkey and abroad, have been delivered to the region over 9 thousand.” he said.
Noting that more than 350 tons of qualified materials were transferred to the places in need, Minister Akar said that all aircraft carry sick, injured or other needy earthquake survivors during their return.
Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar stated that they have made maximum efforts to meet all demands from AFAD officials and governors within the framework of their contacts and continued his speech as follows:
“We have transferred the personnel needed from our Land, Naval and Air Forces to the region. In addition to the existing ones, a total of 39 commando battalions were transferred to the region. In addition, our 28 search and rescue teams and aid teams started to work in the region. As you know, Hatay is one of the places most affected by the earthquake. Currently, more than 4 thousand Mehmetçik are on duty in Hatay. They are joining the fight with their hearts and souls.”
FIELD HOSPITAL
Minister Akar stated that one of the important developments for tomorrow is the transfer of medical hospitals and said, “First of all, there is a field hospital sent by the USA. We commissioned our Chinook helicopter, which we call CH-47, to carry it to Hatay. Starting tomorrow morning, we will try to carry it here and then put it at the service of our citizens here.” gave the information.
Noting that they also opened all the barracks and facilities in the earthquake zones for earthquake victims, Minister Hulusi Akar said, “We already have military training centers and summer training centers for medium and long-term studies, these centers have been put into service, our earthquake victims have started to benefit from them.” said.
Noting that they sent the field kitchen and ovens, cold climate tents and generators to the region for use in the war, Minister Akar said that in addition to these, they distributed all kinds of clothing and blankets, which are resistant to cold, to earthquake victims.
In addition to this, Minister Akar said that they also started the distribution of food and bread within the framework of urgent needs, and that these works are continuing in coordination with the Governorships, adding, "Since there was an earthquake, we have distributed a total of 600 thousand food packages and 250 thousand breads to our citizens so far." said.
HOT MEALS FOR 40 THOUSAND PEOPLE DAY
Minister Akar stated that with the measures they have taken, they have reached the point where they can serve hot meals to 40 thousand people a day, and that they will use it effectively.
Stating that the problem of fuel is the most troublesome issue in the region, Minister Akar said, “In this regard, we have also offered the fuel used by NATO, which we call 'NATO POL', from our own stocks, to the service of our people in a way, with appropriate methods. After the necessary procedures are completed, it is possible to benefit from this oil and these warehouses in the provinces, and we will use this as well.” he said.
WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING IN ISKENDERUN GULF WITH 22 SHIPS
Reminding that the field hospital belonging to the TAF was established in Kahramanmaraş and started to serve as of yesterday, Minister Akar said:
“In addition to all these, in addition to the works we do on land and in the air, there is also a way of transporting the materials, personnel and materials from west to east, to the Iskenderun Bay, and to the west, by using our sea vehicles. transport bridge was established. We are currently operating in the Iskenderun Bay with a total of 22 ships, mainly TCG Iskenderun, Sancaktar, Bayraktar, Osmangazi. From these, construction equipment is sent to the region, materials such as tents and so on are sent.”
Minister Akar also stated that health services are provided on these ships and said, "Bayraktar has been put into hospital order, necessary measures have been taken there, they will start providing health services in the region from tomorrow." said.
Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar also stated that as a ministry from the first moment of the earthquake, they directed all personnel to the Red Crescent Blood Centers for blood donation and said, “The Turkish Armed Forces is at the service and at the service of our noble nation, with whom we are together in sorrow and pride, as always, in these difficult days. ” he said.
Be the first to comment