University search and rescue games begin

The “Universities Search and Rescue Games – USARGames 2026,” organized under the coordination of the Civil Defense Organization Presidency, has officially begun at the Metehan Training and Exercise Area.

The “Universities Search and Rescue Games – USARGames 2026,” organized under the coordination of the Civil Defense Organization Presidency, has started and will continue until May 11 at the Metehan Training and Exercise Area.

Speaking at the event, Hakan Balaban said they were pleased to see growing interest among young people in search and rescue activities with each passing year.

Balaban noted that their goal was to create a broad social force beginning with primary school children and extending to university youth.

He stressed that if a society became more aware and prepared for disasters, the negative impacts of emergencies could be overcome with minimal damage.

Balaban also emphasized that the increase in trained human resources in the country would strengthen intervention capacity during disaster response operations.