Georgia has received accreditation from the UN International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and has officially become a full member of the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Georgia’s accreditation has conferred upon it the status of member of the International Rescue Committee, enabling the country to participate actively in international rescue and humanitarian missions, enhance cooperation with partner nations, and further establish Georgia’s position within the global rescue community.

“The decision is based on the outcomes of a comprehensive three-day simulated rescue exercise conducted across Georgia, organised by the Emergency Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” the statement explains.

According to MIA, the primary aim of the exercise was to practically evaluate the capabilities of the Emergency Management Service’s urban search and rescue team and to confirm their adherence to international INSARAG standards.

The scenario of the exercise encompassed various aspects of urban disaster response. Participants included the Emergency Management Service’s urban search and rescue team, specialists in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear safety (CBRN), as well as patrol police and ambulance crews. Their joint efforts were designed to test the effectiveness of the integrated response system in a realistic setting.

The ministry further added that a simulated disaster was enacted at four different locations during the exercise, including the environment where the field operations coordination headquarters was situated. International experts monitored the actions of Georgian firefighters on site, evaluating their coordination, response times, technical proficiency, and operational management.
Fifteen international specialists from France, Spain, Germany, Turkiye, and other nations participated in the training, commending the professionalism, technical expertise, and effectiveness of the Georgian rescue team’s operational management.

“The closing ceremony took place at the Emergency Management Service’s Special Situations Response Base, where the service was officially presented with the country’s membership certificate,” the statement concludes.