Turkey and Syria earthquake: Long-term funding is needed to support search-and-rescue after major disasters

Rescue workers continue to clear rubble from collapsed buildings in Antakya, Turkey, six days after two powerful earthquakes caused scores of buildings to collapse. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

The strong and disastrous earthquake that shook southern Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6 drew attention to search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. The media’s attention raised familiar questions around SAR, including who conducts SAR, what formal and informal SAR teams are available, and how long trapped people are able to survive before being rescued.

Over the past 50 years, many studies have been conducted to address these questions.