News

09 July 2024

TİKA Provides Vehicle and Equipment to Venezuelan Search and Rescue Team

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided 2 vehicles and search-rescue equipment to the UNACID search and rescue unit, which was part of the team that came to our country from Venezuela during the February 6 earthquakes to support search and rescue efforts.

Vehicles and equipment were delivered to the UNACID (Dog Training and Disaster Intervention Unit) staff by the Republic of Türkiye’s Ambassador to Caracas, Aydan Karamanoğlu and the Head of TİKA’s East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department, Dursun Ali Yaşacan with a ceremony held in the capital, Caracas.

As part of the aid, 2 off-road vehicles and various equipment including technical clothing, a drone, radios and dog travel crates were provided to the team to enable them to arrive at the disaster area rapidly and fully equipped in cases of disasters and emergency responses.

During his speech, Karamonoğlu expressed his appreciation with the dedication shown by the Venezuelan team during the earthquake in our country, and stated that this aid should be appreciated as a token of gratitude. Yaşacan highlighted that the work carried out by the Venezuelan team was invaluable, and thanked them on behalf of the entire Turkish nation.

General Coordinator Marcos Sequera, who participated in search and rescue activities in Türkiye on behalf of the UNACID with his dog Kay, stated that Türkiye is a brother country to them, and the support they provide in difficult times brings the two countries closer to each other.

About the UNACID (Dog Training and Disaster Intervention Unit)

Headquartered in the city of El Tocuyo, UNACID is a civilian and volunteer team consisting of 20 personnel and 7 dogs. The team stands out as the only professional search and rescue team in Venezuela to utilize dogs in its operations.

UNACID not only operates in every state in Venezuela but also responds to international aid calls, functioning as an internationally active organization. The aforementioned team shares its experiences through trainings held in different states of Venezuela to enable to establish new search and rescue teams. The team also raises awareness of new generations and makes them conscious and resilient against disasters through trainings held especially at schools.

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