The search and rescue team that came from Brazil to Türkiye after the severe Kahramanmaraş-centred earthquakes of 6 February completed its work and returned to its country 16 days after the earthquake. MÜSİAD Brazil President Umut Eker also attended the programme welcoming the Brazilian team.
The search and rescue team, which returned to their country on a Turkish Airlines (THY) aircraft, was welcomed at Brazil's Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport by Türkiye's Consul General in Sao Paulo Gürsel Evren, MÜSİAD Brazil President Umut Eker, Brazilian officials and the families of the search and rescue team.
In his speech addressing the team at the welcome, MÜSİAD Brazil President Umut Eker said, "Once again, together with the whole world, we have seen how close two countries with thousands of kilometres between them actually are; we will never forget this self-sacrifice. God willing, from now on we will be together not only in sorrows but also in joys."
Rafael Machado, the coordinator of the Brazilian search and rescue team, which was also visited in person by President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressed that they were very happy about the interest and the hospitality shown to them by the people throughout their stay in Türkiye despite the very difficult conditions.
Machado, who was deeply moved during his speech, thanked Türkiye's Ambassador to Brazil Halil İbrahim Akça, the AFAD and MÜSİAD officials for their support in the region and MÜSİAD Brazil President Umut Eker, and also conveyed his gratitude to the MÜSİAD and AFAD officials who welcomed them with great hospitality in meeting their basic needs swiftly in a cold climate they were not used to.
