Karachi: Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), in collaboration with the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation Disaster Management, continues its disaster response initiatives in Pakistan under the Emergency and Disaster Response Training Program (ADAMEP). 

As part of this program, a week-long Advanced Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Training was held at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Training Center. The training was attended by 30 search and rescue volunteers from the Sindh Scouts Association and Alkhidmat Foundation, culminating in a certificate distribution ceremony. The closing ceremony brought together a distinguished group of attendees, including former Sindh Ombudsman Aijaz Ali Khan, Head of TIKA Karachi Halil Ibrahim Basaran, Director General of Colleges of Sindh Dr. Navaid Rab Siddiqui, Provincial Secretary of Sindh Scouts Syed Akhtar Meer, IHH Disaster Management Trainers, members of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Urban Search and Rescue Team, and numerous other guests.

In his remarks, former Sindh Ombudsman Aijaz Ali Khan highlighted the importance of the training program, noting that Sindh, as a disaster-prone province, stands to benefit significantly from TIKA’s efforts. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to TIKA for supporting disaster preparedness in Pakistan through both training programs and the provision of essential equipment. Halil Ibrahim Basaran, Head of TIKA Karachi, emphasized that the training journey, which began in the aftermath of Pakistan’s devastating floods and the earthquakes in Türkiye, remains ongoing.  He underscored that the program has fostered deep collaboration and shared aspirations. At the conclusion of this effort, TIKA envisions leaving Pakistan with a highly capable search and rescue team and a dedicated training center, paving the way for continued readiness to face potential disasters.

Tauhid Fatima, a scout team leader and participant in the training, shared her experience, noting that the program had been immensely valuable. She emphasized that the training taught teamwork, preparation, resilience, and determination. Fatima expressed her gratitude to TIKA for offering this opportunity and to the IHH Disaster Management Trainers for their unwavering support and contributions. Following the speeches, 30 search and rescue volunteers from the Sindh Scouts Association and Alkhidmat Foundation were presented with certificates, marking the successful completion of their training.