Brief Historical Account of AKUT

The number of people doing outdoor sports in Turkey has increased considerably during the 90’s causing increase in accidents in the nature.

In 1994, during the search activity for 2 mountaineers that got lost on the Bolkar Mountains, it has been understood that the good-will of the local people, the Gendarmerie, the Mountain
Climbers’ Federation and the mountaineers from different regions were not enough. The search activity had resulted in failure due to various problems. After that, a group of mountaineers started thinking on how search and rescue activities should be made more efficient and correct.

It was realized that the team should rely on volunteer basis. As the need for a team specialized in search and rescue became solid, AKUT used its name for the first time in the search and rescue operation in 1995 at Keşiştepe on the Uludağ Mountain. In the beginning of 1996, AKUT Search and Rescue Association got founded officially.

AKUT had constructed its administrative structure according to its rules and regulations as stated in the laws. On the other hand, AKUT had organized in a wider spectrum still according to its rules and regulations. It had a different organization scheme that could react instantly during search and rescue operations. This way, as an example of democratic civil society association was set; a disciplined operational structure with a narrow hierarchy triangle that could make fast decisions in emergencies was born.

At the beginning, the main goal was to organize correct search and rescue activities on mountain and in other nature environments.

Getting its earthquake training in January 1997, and its flood training in June 1997, AKUT became capable of helping official institutions during natural disasters.

Therefore, human resources focused not only at mountaineers, but at everyone who would work to save lives without any personal expectations.

While going through various search and rescue operations, team trainings, organizations, advertisement workshops, agreements, protocols with related institutions and while looking for new sponsors and advertisement opportunities, AKUT was faced with the Marmara earthquake. On August 17, 1999 AKUT reacted to the disaster immediately. AKUT worked with 150 permanent members. It organized over 1000 people to work. It was on duty when over 200 people were rescued from the debris. AKUT managed a large amount of medical and support supplies sent from within or abroad Turkey to be delivered to the victims either directly or through the Red Crescent, the Army and the Crises Desks.

Of course there were problems related to the magnitude of the disaster, the necessity to work at different locations and not having too many members specialized in the earthquake field. On the other hand, due to the preparations made and especially due to psychological readiness for saving lives during disasters, AKUT set a successful search and rescue example.

Before August 17, 1999, the only volunteer association focused on search and rescue was AKUT. After the Marmara Earthquake, hundreds of search and rescue groups came into life in different regions of our country. Associations got founded in different provinces and districts in order to react locally to disasters. In addition to the restructuring of our army and government institutions, a lot of big factories and firms developed teams supported by materials, logistics, and training within themselves. This movement has turned into a national mission and extremely positive steps have been taken.

As a result, AKUT has changed the search and rescue standpoint of many governmental and private sector institutions. It has been a leader of new leaps. It has also worked in order to raise consciousness related to situations before and after disasters. AKUT accepted a mission greater than forethought as a search and rescue association. It has become a good example of a civil society organization. Akut has been selected the organization that people trusted the most in the survey that TESEV did after the Marmara earthquake. When the same survey was conducted a year later, AKUT has been selected the second institution after Turkish Armed Forces. Most of our public heartily supports this volunteer work of civil society. We are proud that we took a leading role in this big movement.   

Athens Earthquake that came after the Marmara Earthquake and the work that AKUT did there, has been a symbol of peace and brotherhood regardless of the process unresolved for tens of years. It has showed that at hard times, people can work side by side, without considering the language, religion, race and nation differences.

Again, with the Taiwan earthquake in 1999, the India earthquake in 2001, and the Iran earthquake in 2003, AKUT has developed its position in the international process.

AKUT is a member of INSARAG (Search and Rescue Advising Group under United Nations since 1999). AKUT has become the most knowledgeable and the most experienced team in the earthquake field among the search and rescue teams compatible with international standards in the world.

In addition to these earthquake activities, AKUT has continued its help activities by sending a medical support unit to Mozambique where a flood disaster took place.

AKUT will continue to share its experience and knowledge not only in Turkey, but also abroad. AKUT will continue to undertake operations as much as it can wherever people are in need of help. AKUT will continue to work in cooperation with institutions operating in the same field.

Today, AKUT has about 200 members and another 200 volunteers. It has technical equipment that can mobilize its operational capability. It is the first and number 1 search and rescue group of our country. While it is growing and utilizing its human resources, AKUT is also running projects that will increase the number of conscious individuals in the society. AKUT is ready having the Ankara, Antalya, Bingöl, Bursa, Giresun, İzmir, Kayseri, Kocaeli, Marmaris, Niğde, Olympos, Rize, Trabzon local teams and the Istanbul team to accept duty in emergencies within or outside Turkey and to perform operations according to its mission, to give trainings, to organize drills, to cooperate with local and international institutions, to share its experience and knowledge at home or abroad wherever requested.

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