Palestinian rescue team comes to China for exchange and training

According to the website of Hong Kong's South China Morning Post on December 15th, six Palestinians spent two weeks receiving urban search and rescue operation training from the Blue Sky Rescue Team in the eastern city of Changshu. They learn how to support collapsed buildings, chisel through walls, search for victims, and safely evacuate survivors

It was reported that the search and rescue team of the Palestinian Civil Defence Force first saw Chinese blue sky rescuers on the rubble of Malatya, Türkiye, in February 2023. Both sides worked together to find survivors. Earlier, the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Türkiye. After the disaster, personnel from Chinese civilian rescue organizations went to the disaster area to provide assistance. This shared experience has led to the continuous development of the relationship between the two teams

The head of the Central Operations of the Palestinian Civil Defense Forces, Raid Kazmuz, said at the headquarters in Ramsar, "China has the kindest and most enthusiastic and friendly people. I know they are respectful and courteous people, but I didn't know it would reach this level." At the invitation of the Blue Sky Rescue Team and the Changshu Local Emergency Volunteer Association, and with the assistance of the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, Palestinian personnel came to China to learn rescue knowledge

Kazmuz said, "There are international standards and guidelines for urban search and rescue operations, and we have learned how to do them from China." Although Palestinian search and rescue personnel are not meant to deal with natural disasters, there are obvious similarities between earthquake and bombing rescue operations

The Blue Sky Rescue Team, with extensive experience in dealing with floods, earthquakes, and typhoons, guides the Palestinian team in using sensors during rescue operations

Kazimuz said: "These technologies are very helpful for our daily tasks after the attack, because each response action will take us at least 10 to 24 hours. We are surprised by the superb ability of the Chinese personnel."

As China's two-week trip is coming to an end, the Pakistani delegation went to Shanghai and Hangzhou, which are one of the most innovative and beautiful cities in China. For Palestinian team members, taking a leisurely walk on the Bund in Shanghai or West Lake in Hangzhou is a simple activity to enjoy