LAHORE: The Pakistan Rescue Team (PRT) celebrated the 4th Anniversary of its United Nations INSARAG Certification. In this regard, a graceful Cake Cutting Ceremony was held at Emergency Services Academy Lahore Pakistan here on Tuesday 31st October 2023. Dr Gift Chatora Acting Head of United Nations OCHA, Pakistan also attended the ceremony. The Founder Emergency Services Pakistan Dr. Rizwan Naseer along with senior officers of Rescue Punjab, PRT team members attended the ceremony.
In his welcoming note, Founder Emergency Services Pakistan and Commander Pakistan Rescue Team (PRT) Dr. Rizwan Naseer congratulated the members of the Pakistan Rescue Team on the 4th anniversary of its United Nations INSARAG Certification. He also acknowledged the support of UN-OCHA Pakistan, UN-INSARAG Secretariat, Mentors, classifiers, and NDMA Pakistan to make this Certification possible. He also observed silence in respect for the individuals who lost their lives in earthquakes & disasters and offered prayers for them.
The Commander PRT Dr Rizwan Naseer highlighted the journey starting the devastating Pakistan Earthquake of 2005 for the establishment of first Disaster Response Team.
The certification process spanned several years under the supervision of a mentor appointed by the UN-INSARAG Secretariat. This was followed by a team of United Nations International Classifiers and the United Nations – INSARAG Secretariat in Geneva, who conducted a final 36-hour Team Evaluation Exercise. Mr. Winston Chang, a representative from the United Nations OCHA INSARAG Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, officially declared that the “Pakistan Rescue Team stands tall among the world’s elite as a UN Classified Urban Search & Rescue Team.”
Addressing the UN-INSARAG Certified Pakistan Rescue Team, Dr. Gift Chatora, Acting Head of OCHA Pakistan, stated, “Today, I am honored to be here at the Emergency Services Academy, marking the 4th anniversary of the Pakistan Rescue Team’s certification. UN OCHA Pakistan takes pride in classifying the Pakistan Rescue Team, a testament to our enduring partnership with Rescue 1122 and the Academy, which played a vital role in saving lives during international rescue missions, such as the recent Turkiye Earthquake. I am immensely pleased with the exceptional skills exhibited by the Pakistan Rescue Team during the Turkiye earthquake, saving countless lives. Looking ahead, we also acknowledge the commitment of Rescue 1122 to train and classify Light Search & Rescue Teams of all Districts in line with UN INSARAG guidelines, thereby enhancing our region’s search and rescue capabilities. In this endeavor, UN-OCHA pledges full support for the UN INSARAG Certification of Light Search & Rescue Teams across all districts of Punjab.
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