Erzurum Technical University (ETU) Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak and his management met at lunch with the volunteer rescue team, which went to the region and participated in search and rescue activities after the earthquakes, the epicenter of which was Kahramanmaraş and affecting 10 cities.

The program, held at the ETU Life Center Meeting Hall, started with the Qur'an recitation by Hikmetullah Doğan, Imam of Gelin Pasha Mosque, followed by prayers for the citizens who lost their lives in the earthquake disaster.

Speaking in the program, Rector Çakmak stated that they met with the team in the search and rescue team to chat and share memories: “As you know, our country faced an earthquake disaster 12 days ago. We lost many lives in this earthquake, which is expressed as the disaster of the century. Dear friends, we talked about whether we can get a team out of here early in the morning on the day of the earthquake. After consultation, we announced it to our friends. At the beginning, we thought that maybe 3-5 of our friends in passenger cars would come out, maybe not, but 27 of our high-volunteer colleagues from our university volunteered and said that we will go to the earthquake area. Then we were transferred to Erzurum AFAD Coordination Center, where we had fellow teachers accompanying us, and now they are here too, and I would like to thank them very much. Our volunteer rescue team was one of the first to reach Hatay and rushed to the aid of our citizens who were affected by the disaster by putting their body, not their hands, under the stone. This is a sacred work that cannot be expressed in words. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends who participated in the volunteering campaign. It is good that you are present, thank you," he said. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends who participated in the volunteering campaign. It is good that you are present, thank you," he said. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends who participated in the volunteering campaign. It is good that you are present, thank you," he said.

Speaking after Rector Çakmak, the leader of the volunteer rescue team, ETU Faculty of Health Sciences, Head of Emergency and Disaster Management Department Dr. Lecturer Melikşah Turan stated that they were working in coordination with many teams in the earthquake area: “After the earthquake, we reacted quickly and went to the crisis center established in Erzurum. Thanks to our rector, he offered us all the opportunities of our university in this process. In addition to search and rescue activities in the field, we also took an active role in logistics, tent setting up and evacuation processes. Despite all the disruptions in the region, all of our members put in their best effort. On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to them once again.”

Dr. Speaking after Faculty Member Turan, AFAD volunteer and Erzurum Kazım Karabekir Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School Teacher Enes Deligöz expressed that what happened in the earthquake region shook everyone deeply and talked about the sights and experiences they encountered during the search and rescue activities. 

Corporate Communication and Promotion Directorate 16.02.2023