The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, presented a special award for “Highest Dedication” to the Deputy Head of the Fire and Rescue Department of the Emergency Situations Management Service under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia - Civil Security Colonel, Mamuka Sefiashvili, who led the Georgian rescue team involved in the liquidation and rescue operations of the earthquake that occurred in the Turkish cities of Adiyaman and Antakya.

At a special event organized by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) which was held at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, presented a special award and certificate of appreciation to the leaders of the rescue teams of all countries involved in the liquidation and rescue operations of the earthquake. President Erdogan personally expressed appreciation to the rescuers involved in the rescue operation for their assistance and dedication.

The Georgian rescue team went to Turkey on the first day of the disaster under the decision of the Prime Minister of Georgia. A total of 200 rescuers were involved in rescue mission in two cities for 18 days.