AFAD and Balkan rescue teams conduct joint disaster drill in Selanik
A large-scale international disaster preparedness and search-and-rescue exercise was held in Selanik, bringing together Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and rescue teams from across the Balkans in a renewed effort to strengthen regional crisis cooperation.
The joint training program included teams from Türkiye, Greece, Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia under the framework of the EMEF international search and rescue federation.
The exercise focused on earthquake response, multi-agency coordination, rapid deployment scenarios, and cross-border emergency communication systems. Participants conducted simulations involving structural collapse rescues, fire response operations, and live search-and-rescue drills with trained rescue dogs.
AFAD delegations from Edirne and Izmir played an active role in coordinating parts of the exercise, which also included academic briefings on climate-related disasters and international emergency cooperation.
As part of the program, AFAD officials visited the Turkish Consulate General in Selanik and later toured the historic house of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a symbolic stop frequently included in Turkish official visits to the city.
Officials emphasized that one of the key goals of the exercise was to improve cross-border response times in the event of major earthquakes, a critical concern given the seismic activity across the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Speakers at the event highlighted the importance of institutional trust and operational coordination between neighboring countries, especially in disaster scenarios where rapid international assistance can save lives.
EPOMEA Selanik coordinator and Türkiye liaison Sibel Mustafaoğlu described the initiative as the realization of a long-standing vision of structured regional cooperation in disaster response, calling it “a 14-year dream coming true.”
AFAD’s regional coordinator Cengiz Karakuş stated that Türkiye remains ready to support neighboring Greece in emergencies due to the geographic proximity and shared risk profile of the region.
Thessaloniki rescue team coordinator Miltos praised Türkiye’s leadership role in the initiative, emphasizing that joint operations significantly enhance field experience and coordination capacity.
EMEF President Nikos Tzerkezidis also attended the program, noting that the collaboration reflects growing trust between civil protection communities in the region and the gradual materialization of long-term cooperation goals.
The exercise concluded in the Halkidiki region with additional field simulations and public demonstrations that attracted local interest.
