Slovenia proposes experts as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in the wake of the earthquake in Türkiye

6. 2. 2023

The Republic of Türkiye requested assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 that struck on 6 February at 2:17 European time, followed by a number of aftershocks. A total of 10 provinces were affected, and according to media reports, the number of dead, injured and missing people is rising rapidly, with an estimated 5 million people living within a 5km radius of the earthquake's epicentre.

Considering the aftermath of the powerful earthquake, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia today decided to deploy three experts to the Emergency Response Coordination Centre, namely a logistics expert, a data collection assistance expert and an operational coordination expert, as requested by the Republic of Türkiye through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. It is anticipated that they will stay there for 14 to 21 days, with the possibility of extension and rotation of experts, starting on 6 February 2023. The Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief will head the coordination of the mobilisation.

According to Leon Behin, Acting Director General of the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Slovenia is in constant contact with the European Commission and, through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, it is are monitoring the expressed needs of Türkiye for various forms of assistance in rescuing the victims of the earthquake, in their medical care and in ensuring basic living conditions for a large number of people in the affected area.

The Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief is examining the possible participation of members of the Slovenian Civil Protection Service and rescue units and canine units in the joint international rubble search. If further requests for assistance are made by Türkiye, Slovenia will also respond with humanitarian and technical assistance.