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 (in Turkish, AKUT Arama Kurtarma Derneği) is a special group from Turkey. They help people during disasters and emergencies. Think of them as heroes who rush in when others are in trouble. They are a non-governmental organization, which means they are not part of the government.
AKUT was started in 1995 by seven outdoor athletes. They saw a need for a team that could help people stuck in caves, lost on mountains, or caught in earthquakes and floods. They help both in Turkey and in other countries.
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History of AKUT
How AKUT Started
The idea for AKUT came after a climbing accident in 1994. Two climbers got into trouble on the Bolkar Mountains. This made a group of mountaineers realize that Turkey needed a dedicated rescue team.
In December 1995, these volunteer climbers had their first official mission. They rescued people who were lost on Mount Uludağ. These people were freezing in heavy snow. During this rescue, the group decided to call themselves "AKUT." This name comes from a medical term.
Becoming an Official Group
AKUT officially became an association in early 1996. Over the next year, its members received special training. This training included how to help during earthquakes and floods. This meant AKUT could work with official government groups during natural disasters.
On January 15, 1999, the Turkish government recognized AKUT. They were given the special status of a charitable organization. This meant they were officially a group that helps others.
Big Rescues and International Help
AKUT became very well known after the 1999 İzmit earthquake. They reacted quickly to this huge disaster. About 150 of their main members worked with over 1,000 helpers. Together, they rescued around 200 people from the fallen buildings.
In 1999, AKUT joined the United Nations' Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG). This is a global group that helps coordinate rescue efforts. In 2011, INSARAG officially recognized AKUT. They were called a "mid-sized search and rescue team."
AKUT has also helped in other countries. They went on missions after the 1999 Athens earthquake in Greece. They also helped after the 1999 Taiwan earthquake. Other missions included the 2001 Gujarat earthquake in India and the 2003 Bam earthquake in Iran.
Most recently, AKUT responded right away to the massive 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes on February 6, 2023. They sent 30 teams to many affected cities. These included Kahramanmaraş, Adiyaman, Gaziantep, Malatya, Hatay, Osmaniye, and Adana.
How AKUT Works
As of 2015, AKUT had about 250 main members. They can also call on about one thousand volunteers if needed. The organization has all the right tools and equipment for its rescue missions.
AKUT's main office is in Istanbul. From there, they manage 35 teams located in different cities across Turkey. They also organize special training courses. These courses teach members and volunteers about search and rescue. They also learn how to prepare for and respond to disasters. By June 2015, AKUT had rescued a total of 2062 people.
