Turkish official lauds KFF role in fighting forest fire
KUWAIT CITY, April 26, (KUNA): Head of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) Yunus Sezer praised on Monday the role and response of the Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) in combating the forest fires that his country witnessed last August.
This came in a statement issued by the Kuwait Fire Force on the sidelines of the reception of its chief, Lieutenant-General Khaled Al-Mekrad, the visiting Turkish official to the country, and the accompanying delegation, where he affirmed the depth of the strong ties between the two friendly countries.
The meeting discussed issues of common interest and ways to support and enhance bilateral cooperation. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief of the Fire Brigade for the Human Resources Development Sector, Major General Muhammad Ibrahim.
Last August, Turkey witnessed forest fires in a number of states along the southern coast, where more than 270 fires destroyed 53 provinces and claimed lives, according to Turkish official sources.
A team from the Kuwait Fire Force participated in the tasks of extinguishing forest fires, based on the directives of His Highness the Amir.
The work of the team, which included about 45 firefighters and was provided with six specialized vehicles, fully equipped, included dealing with fires and fighting them, as well as participating in rescue operations.
Earlier on Monday, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) announced that it signed an agreement to establish a disaster relief and response center in Antalya, Turkey, with a generous donation from Kuwait Finance House (KFH).
On the sideline of the agreement
signing ceremony, KRCS Deputy Chairman Anwar Al-Hasawi told KUNA that the center would address emergencies such as the recent fires, which plagued Turkish forests.
He expressed gratitude towards KFH for its donation, saying that it reflected the generous spirit of the Kuwaiti people.
On his part, Head of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Yunus Sezer lauded the KRCS and KFH for their contributions, affirming that the State of Kuwait had a tremendous record of accomplishment when it came to humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait Ayse Koytak, KFH CEO Abdulwahab Iesa Al-Rushood, and KRCS Secretary General Maha Al-Barjas attended the signing ceremony.