Anadolu Staff 

KARACHI, Sindh Pakistan

A week-long “advanced search and rescue training program” conducted by Türkiye’s state-run Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) for Pakistani scouts concluded on Sunday.

The training, which aimed to train Pakistani scouts to operate in disaster-hit areas, was held in the Karoonjhar mountainous range of the Thar Desert in the southern Sindh province.

Over two dozen scouts attended the training, which was organized in cooperation with the Turkish NGO Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) and Sindh Boys Scouts Association (SBSA).

The program was concluded with a certificate ceremony held at the association’s provincial headquarters in Karachi.

The ceremony was attended by Turkish Consul General in Karachi Cemal Sangu, Provincial Commissioner of Sindh Scouts Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, TIKA’s Karachi coordinator Halil Ibrahim Basaran, and volunteers who participated in the training.

Addressing the ceremony, Sangu congratulated TIKA and the participants for the “successful” training program, which will help Pakistani volunteers operate more effectively in the event of any natural or man-made disaster.

He said that TIKA, with its 63 offices across the globe, has been operating in different sectors.

“With its two offices in Pakistan and such trainings, it shows how close we hold Pakistan to our hearts, ” he added.

Shah, in his remarks, thanked Türkiye, TIKA, and IHH, saying that such collaborations will help SBSA build its own search and rescue training academy.

Basaran, for his part, appreciated the volunteers and SBSA for their contribution to the successful completion of the training.

He added that TIKA will continue to organize such training programs across the province.

Ahmet Turkmenoglu, the chief trainer from IHH, said the volunteers showed an “extraordinary” performance despite harsh weather conditions.

Habib Uddin, a team leader from SBSA, expressed his gratitude, and said: “If we had received this training earlier, we could have saved more lives in previous disasters in Pakistan.”

The second stage of the training program will continue with urban search and rescue training, as well as search and rescue training in water.

TIKA conducts search and rescue training in different countries, including Bosnia, Lebanon, and Pakistan, under its Emergency and Disaster Response Training Program, which consists of “search and rescue training in nature”, “urban search and rescue training,” and “search and rescue in water.”

Read: Turkish aid agency trains Pakistani scouts in rescue, disaster management

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Courtesy: Anadolu agency (Posted on 05.05.2024)  

The post Turkish aid agency holds ‘search and rescue training’ in Thar Desert first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Karachi

Over 350 female students from across Karachi took part in 2-day second annual two-day field training camp for female students at Gulistan Scouts Ground in Karachi on February 27 and 28, 2023.

Al-Abid Educational Society organized the training camp in collaboration with Pakistan Red Crescent-Sindh and Sindh Boy Scouts Association (SBSA).

The camp’s closing ceremony was held on Tuesday February 28. The camp’s main purpose was to develop confidence and encouragement among the female students to live in difficult conditions, such as in any emergency or disaster, and transform them from delicate to strong.

All female students were placed into four companies named Fatima Jinnah Company, Rana Liaquat Ali Company, Bilquis Edhi Company, and Ruth Pfau Company to pay tribute to these iconic women.

Chairperson Pakistan Red Crescent-Sindh Mrs. Farzhana Naek was the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony.

“I salute the parents of these students who allowed their children and encouraged them to participate in this camp,” said Farzhana. She said that the Red Crescent conducted training sessions for the participants on camp management and rules, first aid, emergency response, climate change, and fire safety. In addition, a 24-hour first aid post was also set up to deal with any emergency.

Abid Pervaiz, President Al-Abid Educational Society, said that two-day training enhanced female students’ confidence and prepared them for emergency situations by providing them with first aid and scouting.

Syed Haider Ali, Chairman of the Sindh Private Schools and Colleges Association (ASPSCA), praised the organizers and said that the ASPSCA always encouraged schools and colleges to organize these events, especially for female students.

Syed Akhtar Meer, Provincial Secretary of Sindh Boy Scouts Association, also lauded all the female campers for their enthusiasm and interest in every activity in the camp. “The doors of the Scout Association are always open to the youth of our society,” he said.

Kanwar Waseem, Provincial Secretary of Pakistan Red Crescent Sindh, Muhammad Saleem, General Secretary of Al-Abid Educational Society, and parents, school management and media also attended the closing ceremony. Later, teachers, school management, organizers, volunteers, company commanders, and camp management officers were awarded certificates and shields for rendering commendable services in the camp. (PR)

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The post Over 350 female students join a 2-day field training camp in Karachi first appeared on Sindh Courier.