AFAD President Pehlivan: The number of AFAD volunteers reached 1 million 600 thousand

In his speech at the 21st International Forensic Medicine Days Congress, organized by the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) at the Justice Organization Strengthening Foundation Facilities in Antalya, where Anadolu Agency is the "Global Communication Partner", Pehlivan noted that AFAD was established in 2009 and carries out its work with a risk-oriented approach.

Stating that they focus on preparation and risk reduction before disasters, effective intervention during disasters and recovery afterwards, Pehlivan stated that although scientific studies have been carried out on when the earthquake will occur, there is no possibility of prediction yet.

Emphasizing the need to be prepared for an earthquake, Pehlivan said, "If we want to be prepared for an earthquake, we will first know that this is an inevitable reality and we will strive to make the places we are in resilient. We will support by cooperating with institutions working on this issue." he said.

Pehlivan noted that they scientifically follow all types of disasters, especially earthquakes, and that they meet with the scientific committee at regular intervals and make evaluations.

Stating that they have implemented the disaster awareness teacher practice in schools with the Ministry of National Education, Pehlivan said that drills will be held in universities in Türkiye within the scope of the protocol signed between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Council of Higher Education.

AFAD's number of volunteers increased by 1 million

Pehlivan pointed out that they attach importance to volunteering activities in order to spread disaster awareness throughout the society and said, "While we had around 600 thousand registered volunteers before the February 6 earthquakes, we have now reached 1 million 600 thousand." he said.

Stating that there are approximately 5 thousand search and rescue personnel within AFAD, Pehlivan stated that the number of search and rescue personnel trained in the Turkish Armed Forces, police, ministries and private sector has reached 178 thousand.

Stating that the scope of the work was expanded after the February 6 earthquakes, Pehlivan said that technological opportunities were also used in search and rescue activities.

Pehlivan stated that AFAD's number of drones has reached 200 and the number of drone pilots has reached 600, and said, "We use artificial intelligence and thermal-enabled drones in our work." he said.