Letter of Remembrance and Appreciation.

On 6 February 2026, AKUT Search and Rescue Association issued a Letter of Remembrance and Appreciation to the INSARAG community, marking the anniversary of one of the most devastating disasters in Türkiye’s history. The message pays tribute to international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams that rapidly deployed from around the world, leaving their homes and families to help save lives in the affected areas.​

The letter recalls how international and national teams worked side by side in the rubble, demonstrating professionalism, courage and compassion, and bringing hope when hope seemed lost. It emphasizes that these efforts embodied INSARAG’s principles of cooperation, coordination and mutual support, and showcased the true meaning of international solidarity.​

AKUT extends its deepest gratitude to all INSARAG teams and to the INSARAG Secretariat for their leadership, coordination and unwavering support during the response. 

 

INSARAG_LETTERDownload

IEC OMA-01

Congratulations to the Oman Team (OMA-01) for successfully passing the INSARAG External Classification (IEC) from Medium to Heavy, between 06-10 December 2025. This recognition affirms the exceptional skill and commitment to International Search and Rescue of the team. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.

Exercise Site Directory

Exercise Site Directory The INSARAG Exercise Site Directory offers an overview of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training worksites worldwide that are willing to host INSARAG teams for training activities. These sites provide valuable environments to conduct realistic exercises, strengthen operational readiness, and promote collective learning within the network. Each entry in the directory is voluntary and includes information on the site’s location (with links to Google maps) and contact details, enabling teams to identify locations that best meet their training needs. Please note that all arrangements to use these training sites must be made bilaterally between the requesting team and the site owner/host, using the contact information provided. Register a New Training Site We encourage Member States, organizations, and partners to contribute to this global resource. If you manage or represent a USAR training facility that could support INSARAG preparedness activities, you are invited to register your site in the directory. To submit a new site, please complete the registration form here.

 

ISG 2026 INSARAG Steering Group (ISG) Meeting

The INSARAG Secretariat is pleased to announce that the 2026 INSARAG Steering Group (ISG) Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 10 March 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. The ISG will be held in hybrid format. Please save-the-date!

The ISG will take place during the 2026 Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) which will run from 2–12 March 2026. The in-person days of the HNPW are scheduled for 3 days from 10 to 12 March at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) in Geneva. More information on the HNPW 2026 is available on the HNPW Website here. We invite you to consult the HNPW programme and take the opportunity to network and attend other events. Please note that the UNDAC Advisory Board will be held on the 12th March.

Kindly note that travel arrangements, hotel bookings, and other travel-related expenses are the responsibility of your respective organizations. Additional information on the INSARAG Steering Group Meeting will be provided ahead of time. If you need an invitation letter for visa purposes, please contact the Secretariat at least one month before the event.

Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the INSARAG Secretariat.