Erdogan presents award to Bangladeshi rescue team for earthquake relief efforts
News Desk
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has presented an award of Special Commemoration to Bangladesh’s rescue team for their contribution to humanitarian relief efforts after a strong earthquake hit the country in February.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate of Bangladesh confirmed the matter on Wednesday.
The award was handed over at a special ceremony held in Ankara on Tuesday.
On behalf of Bangladesh, Brigadier General Mohammad Rashed Iqbal, NDC, PSC, G, Defense Attaché of the Bangladesh Army posted in Turkey, and Lieutenant Colonel Md Ruhul Amin, the team leader of the rescue team, received the award.
The 60-member rescue team led by the Bangladesh Army carried out the post-earthquake rescue operations and assistance in Turkey from February 8.
The team returned to Bangladesh on February 21.
The Bangladeshi rescue team was scheduled to return to Bangladesh on February 15, but the Turkish government requested the Bangladesh government to extend the rescue operation. As a result, the rescue team stayed for five more days in Turkey, under the direction of the government of Bangladesh.
The rescue team, consisting of Bangladesh Army and Fire Service members, conducted rescue operations in the cities of Adiyaman and Hatay in Turkey.
They saved a significant number of people and pulled out bodies from the rubble.
Besides conducting rescue operations, the team distributed 120 cartons of food and 72 tents among the earthquake-affected people.
In addition, the medical team provided medical care to 104 people and distributed 32 cartons of medicine among them, and provided medical care to earthquake-affected and traumatized patients.
A massive earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria killing on February 6 left more than 47,000 people dead in both countries.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in the award ceremony program: “We know who our friends were on the dark day. Personally but also on behalf of my nation and state, I would like to express my deep gratitude to you for your efforts in the earthquake zone. I would also like to thank all our foreign friends who responded to our call for help.”
Erdoğan added that 11,320 rescuers from 90 countries arrived in Turkey after the earthquakes and 60 countries and international organizations sent about 250,000 tents to house the affected, stressing: “We know all our real friends.”
“We will continue our efforts until the wounds are healed and the traces of the earthquake are completely erased,” he concluded.