IRU members in Türkiye are spearheading the road transport sector’s response to support emergency rescue efforts in areas devastated by Monday’s tragic earthquake.
The Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) and the Turkish International Transporters’ Association (UND) are working night and day to coordinate road transport support to emergency rescue efforts in devastated regions in the east of the country.
Both are working with IRU to provide updates to the international road transport community via IRU’s Flash info platform on procedures for transporting humanitarian aid by road into Turkey from neighbouring countries, including customs processes and tax and permit exemptions, as well as road closures within Türkiye.
IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “It is in times of disaster, like the deadly earthquake this week in Syria and Türkiye, that the road transport family comes together to help those in need.
“Our thoughts remain with those caught up in the tragedy and those who have lost loved ones. We are doing everything we can to support the international response and our members in coordinating humanitarian and rescue efforts.”
TOBB has launched an earthquake relief campaign, under the coordination of national emergency response agency AFAD, targeting a wide range of goods needed for rescue efforts. Many items, including construction equipment, have already been donated via the campaign and are being dispatched to the affected region via truck. Donations can be made directly to the campaign.
UND has set up a central crisis centre to support logistics needs across the country and is coordinating specific vehicle and transport needs with those able to offer trucks and drivers to help rescue efforts.
Both organisations have called for help with vehicles and operators with refrigerated trucks and those capable of transporting abnormal goods such as electricity generators. For additional information or to offer help, you can also contact TOBB directly at tir@tobb.org.tr or UND at info@und.org.tr.
IRU has participated in the UN World Food Programme’s Global Logistics Cluster this week, to support international efforts to bring humanitarian aid into affected areas. They have set up a dedicated site with sections for both Syria and Türkiye. These include industry and operational updates from IRU members on the ground that IRU is providing to them and other specialised international organisations.
To ease bottlenecks and boost road transport response times, IRU is also supporting its members in following up on several issues including customs difficulties, vehicle permits and exceptions from certain driving restrictions.