Israel Hi-Tech Group In Rescue Mission To Turkey

A group of humanitarian aid workers and hi-tech entrepreneurs has joined Israel’s rescue mission to Turkey after two devastating earthquakes.

SmartAID, a non-profit agency, has sent a team of 25 search and rescue experts with specialized equipment to find and rescue people trapped beneath collapsed buildings. 

Team members worked tirelessly for 14 hours to pull out Aiysha, a 50-year old woman, who was buried under a five-story building for nearly two days. She was trapped under rubble in freezing conditions with no access to food and water. 

The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is also sending a team of 230 people today (Wednesday) to set up a field hospital in Turkey, and treat civilians using advanced equipment brought in from Israel.

Mashav, Israel’s national aid agency, United Hatzalah, its rescue services, and Magen David Adom, its national emergency medical and ambulance service, are also supplying aid to Turkey.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey on Monday (February 6th) was the worst to strike the country this century. It also hit northwestern Syria, and was followed by a 7.5 magnitude tremor hours later. 

SmartAID is trying to maximize search and rescue efforts by teaching local people who know the geography to pull people out of collapsed buildings safely and securely. 

It is also purchasing clean water filters and units to reduce the donations of hazardous water bottles, installing connectivity units so people can charge their cell phones and reach out to their families, and buying thermal blankets and clothes to help the homeless endure the harsh winter. 

The earthquakes have killed more than 9,000 people, injured tens of thousands more, and flattened thousands of buildings. The epicenter of the quake was near Gaziantep, on the Turkish-Syrian border. Hundreds of aftershocks continue to shake and damage buildings.