KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian rescue team was among the first that arrived in Turkiye and it became the reference to the local Disaster Agency and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN
OCHA) and as coordinator for the Reception Departure Centre (RDC) untilanother team arrives.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said, the Malaysian team had carried out their excellent functions regardless of the cold weather that was below freezing level especially at night.
“Among the successes achieved by the Malaysian team was five victims were found saved even though the earthquake occurred after 129 hours (5 days).
“Based on the feedback received from the Malaysian Team in Gaziantep, the things needed by the victims who had been saved include tents with winter insulations; thick blankets; heaters; mobile toilets and baths; sleeping bags and containers for temporary shelter,” MOFA said in a statement.
For those who wish to donate to the earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria could channel it to the MOFA Disaster Fund (TBKLN) that is monitored by MOFA.
“The contribution will be exempted from tax under subsection 44(6) Income Tax Act (ACP) 1967. The information about TBKLN is as below:- Name of account: TBKLN: Bank: Affin Islamic Bank Berhad; Putrajaya Branch; Account Number:10549000 0599.
“For record and receipts please write the details of donation via
https://tinyurl.com/yck9tnen. Any enquiries or further information forward it to TBKLN Secretariat (tbkln@kln.gov.my),” the statement said.
The statement added 142 personals and two dogs for detection from Malaysia had been sent to help the search and rescue team in Turkiye that was hit by earthquake with the magnitude of 7.8 Richter.
Malaysian representatives led by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) had arrived in Ankara and Istanbul and among the earliest Search and Rescue-SAR that reached the Ground Zero at Gaziantep.
“The Malaysian SAR team was the first from ASEAN that arrived. The Malaysian teams consist of Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART) Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), Malaysian Brigade and Rescue (JBPM) and Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).
Malaysia has also initiated the opening of Field Hospital Grade 3 by MAF that will operate in Adiyaman Territory, Turkiye.
Two Malaysian Royal Air Force (MRAF) A400 planes had arrived at the International Airport, Gaziantep on 10th February 2023 afternoon via 15 hours flight and brought along equipments more than 30 tonnes and 38 technical staff.
Meanwhile 70 medical officers from various ranks were flown via Turkish Airlines on 10th and 11th February 2023 with additional equipments weighing 8.8 tonnes. – Malaysia World News
