In response to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southern Turkey on February 6, 2023, A-PAD’s emergency response team, ARROWS, began conducting needs assessments. At the request of Turkey-based NGO, GEA, ARROWS dispatched an emergency response team to the affected region.

ARROWS will work with GEA to provide search-and-rescue operations, medical assistance and emergency relief item distribution. ARROWS’ first response team is comprised of two doctors, one nurse, one rescue specialist, and one coordinator.

GEA – Turkey’s search and rescue operation:

Since its establishment in 1994, GEA has been providing search and rescue operations and emergency assistance across the world. GEA is a member of UN’s International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and provides trainings for organizations and fire departments in different countries. A-PAD donated an ambulance and distributed hygiene kits during the 2015 earthquake disaster in Turkey. In 2016, A-PAD and GEA signed a disaster assistance cooperation agreement. A-PAD began participating in trainings in Turkey and strengthening the capacity of its emergency assistance team.  In 2020, A-PAD and GEA collaborated in a hygiene kit distribution for COVID-19.