AKUT Search and Rescue Association facts for kids
Logo of AKUT
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| Abbreviation | AKUT |
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| Formation | 1996 |
| Founder | Nasuh Mahruki, Feridun Çelikmen, Oral Ülkümen, Memet Tanrısever, Nevzat Çetin, Kuvvet Lordoğlu, Alper Sesli |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Legal status | Charitable |
| Purpose | Disaster search and rescue relief |
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Region served
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International |
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Chairman
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Zeynep Yosun Akverdi |
| Affiliations | INSARAG, IRO, Global Compact |
AKUT Search and Rescue Association (AKUT Arama Kurtarma Derneği) is a special group from Turkey. They help people during disasters like earthquakes or floods. They also rescue people who get lost in mountains or trapped in caves. AKUT is a non-governmental organization, which means it is not part of the government. It was started by a group of outdoor athletes in 1995. It officially became an association in 1996.
History of AKUT
AKUT was first formed after a climbing accident in 1994. Two climbers got into trouble on the Bolkar Mountains. In December 1995, a group of volunteer climbers did their first rescue mission. They helped people who were lost in fog and heavy snow on Mt. Uludağ. During this rescue, the group decided to call themselves "AKUT". This word is used in medicine for urgent situations.
The organization officially started in early 1996. Over the next year, its members learned how to help during earthquakes and floods. This training allowed AKUT to work with official government groups during natural disasters. On January 15, 1999, the Turkish government gave AKUT the special status of a charitable organization. This means they do good work for free.
AKUT became very well known after the 1999 İzmit earthquake. They reacted quickly to the disaster. About 150 members and over 1,000 helpers worked together. They rescued around 200 people from the fallen buildings.
In 1999, AKUT joined the United Nations' Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG). This group helps coordinate search and rescue teams around the world. In 2011, INSARAG officially recognized AKUT as a "mid-sized search and rescue team."
AKUT has also helped in other countries after big earthquakes. They went to Greece in 1999, Taiwan in 1999, India in 2001, and Iran in 2003. When the huge earthquakes hit Turkey on February 6, 2023, AKUT responded right away. They sent 30 teams to many affected cities.
How AKUT Works
As of 2015, AKUT has about 250 main members. They can also call on about one thousand volunteers if needed. The organization has all the special tools and gear for its rescue missions.
AKUT's main office is in Istanbul. It helps manage 35 teams located in different cities across Turkey. AKUT also teaches special training courses. These courses are about search and rescue, how to get ready for disasters, and how to respond when they happen. The training is for both members and volunteers. By June 2015, AKUT had rescued a total of 2062 people.
