From National Commander: Update on Türkiye and Syria earthquakes response

Kia ora koutou,
 
I’d like to update you on our contribution to the international response efforts currently underway in Türkiye and Syria after the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on 6 February 2023.

As mentioned previously, Fire and Emergency has been working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the United Nations to determine how New Zealand can help Türkiye and Syria, including what this support will look like and what specialist resources we can provide to aid the overall response and rescue effort.

Following extensive discussions with MFAT since the event, we will not be sending our USAR resources to Türkiye and Syria. Media are reporting over 98,000 rescue personnel on the ground in Türkiye and Syria. To support these efforts, we are providing two information management specialists operating remotely from New Zealand, forming a global remote support team to assist with the coordination of international search and rescue efforts on the ground in Türkiye.

Time zone differences mean that this team can provide round-the-clock support for the response in Türkiye. The team can process data gathered by responders on the ground, which is especially helpful due to IT issues in the affected areas. This helps to inform the operating picture for responders in Türkiye each morning. Significant travel distances and transport network disruptions provide an additional challenge, whereas remote support can be provided immediately.

I am confident that this is the best way we can meaningfully support the rescue and recovery efforts underway, while making sure we are preparing for the Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle, due to arrive next week. We are monitoring the situation in Türkiye and Syria and have offered further assistance should this be required in the future.

I will provide you with updates as they happen.
 
Nāku noa, nā
 
Russell Wood