“Every day 7,200 employees of the State Emergency Service are involved in the performance of their duties”, - Igor Klymenko
On March 14, the Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Klymenko together with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk presented awards to 50 Ukrainian rescuers. Among the awardees were those emergency workers who carried out search and rescue work in Turkey after a series of devastating earthquakes. The award ceremony was also attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Ukraine Jagmur Guldere.
Employees of the State Emergency Service were awarded the orders of Daniel Galitsky, “For courage” of the second and third degrees, medals “For the life saved”. In addition, the rescuers were presented with the Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, gratitude of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, valuable gifts from the Prime Minister of Ukraine, as well as departmental awards.
“In the most difficult situations, you are the first to come to the rescue. And today we can see it during this terrible bloody war that is being fought in Ukraine. And you help not only in Ukraine, but also lend a helping hand to our fraternal countries. Thank you very much for the mission you have performed with honor in Turkey. Because despite the fact that there is a war in Ukraine, it seems to me that you, as representatives of the great Ukrainian people, demonstrated the best qualities, the highest level of support to our friends,” Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, addressed the emergency workers.
The Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Klimenko noted that every day in Ukraine 7,200 emergency personnel are involved in the performance of their duties.
“Among you are those who went to Turkey in order to help the Turkish people save people, because the trouble is not only in Ukraine, the trouble is also in Turkey. Among you are those who are the first to arrive after the missiles attacked civilian infrastructure facilities and among you there are those who, having received injuries, are in the mood again. I want to say thank you to each of you. We are always with you and stand by your side to protect both your professional and social rights. You are our heroes. Thank you for your service!”, - said the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klymenko.
During the celebration, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Ukraine Jagmur Guldere recalled how in 2021 Ukraine sent helicopters and personnel to Turkey to extinguish forest fires:
“We remember their excellent work. And I would like to pay tribute to the deceased minister Denis Monastyrsky with whom we coordinated this assistance. Last year, on that February morning, when explosions rang out across Ukraine, Turkey immediately came to the rescue and continues to do so to this day. And in February, this year, when Turkey woke up from a terrible earthquake, the Ukrainian state and people, despite their difficulties, again came to the aid of Turkey. The State Emergency Service sent a team of rescuers with dogs to the scene of the disaster. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Ukrainian team, we managed to save our citizen. Even 205 hours after the first earthquake.”
Yagmur Guldere noted that the assistance provided by Ukraine to Turkey will become an eternal symbol of friendship between peoples. He expressed sincere gratitude from the Turkish state and people.
During the event, the equipment used by Ukrainian contingents in the rescue operation in Turkey was also demonstrated.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
