Saudi Search and Rescue Team Returns from Türkiye

People take belongings out of their destroyed apartment in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Antakya, Hatay province, Turkey, February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopezh
People take belongings out of their destroyed apartment in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Antakya, Hatay province, Turkey, February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopezh
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Saudi Search and Rescue Team Returns from Türkiye

People take belongings out of their destroyed apartment in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Antakya, Hatay province, Turkey, February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopezh
People take belongings out of their destroyed apartment in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Antakya, Hatay province, Turkey, February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopezh

The General Directorate of Civil Defense's Saudi Search and Rescue Team has returned home after completing its tasks and relief mission following the devastating earthquake in Türkiye.

The mission was carried out under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince to assist earthquake victims, in coordination with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and with the follow-up of the Interior Minister.

The Saudi team's mission had begun with meetings and coordination with the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), local authorities, and the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) to determine the locations where the team would conduct search and rescue operations, provide medical and humanitarian aid, in addition to equipping the assessment team with the camp headquarters and providing support and logistic services throughout its mission in Türkiye.

The Saudi team used state-of-the-art equipment and technology to conduct round-the-clock rescue operations and search for survivors in 47 sites across the three Turkish cities of Gaziantep, Antakya, and Kahramanmaras.

The KSrelief team remains in Syria and Türkiye, helping earthquake victims and monitoring the implementation of relief projects and programs in both countries.



UN Expert Commends Saudi Arabia's Efforts for Older Persons' Rights

Saudi flag.
Saudi flag.
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UN Expert Commends Saudi Arabia's Efforts for Older Persons' Rights

Saudi flag.
Saudi flag.

UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by older persons Claudia Mahler praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts and achievements in promoting and protecting the rights of older persons.

Mahler's commendation follows her visit to the Kingdom in April, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

During the visit, she observed efforts to promote and protect the rights of seniors in various regions and cities, including Riyadh, Buraidah, Unaizah, Zulfi, Jeddah, Al-Baha, and a host of villages.

The visits by independent experts are part of the Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council and are conducted at the formal invitation of the government.