Large-scale TRNC and Turkey humanitarian response drills held in Lefkoşa

In the Metehan area (Nicosia Province), the joint humanitarian aid exercises “TRNC – Turkey 2026” were completed, having been carried out from 18 to 22 May. The drills were organised under the coordination of the Presidency of the Civil Defence Organisation and the Command of the Humanitarian Aid Battalion of the Turkish Armed Forces.

The exercises involved the search and rescue units of the TRNC Civil Defence Organisation, servicemen from the Turkish Armed Forces Humanitarian Aid Battalion, as well as a search and rescue team from the Turkish Peace Forces Command.

The main purpose of the training was to improve the effectiveness of joint action in responding to natural disasters and emergencies, as well as to enhance coordination mechanisms between civil defence structures and military units.

During the exercises, scenarios for search and rescue operations, evacuation of the injured, emergency management at the scene, and coordination between various services in a crisis were practised.

The Civil Defence Organisation said that holding such events strengthens the operational capabilities of response services and raises the overall level of preparedness for emergencies.

Following the drills, their implementation was assessed as successful and important for the further development of cooperation between the TRNC and Turkey in the field of civil defence and humanitarian response.