The 68-strong Operation Lionheart contingent was welcomed by family members, colleagues and the Turkish community at Changi Airport.
Returning on Saturday, they were received by Minister for Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Faishal Ibrahim and Turkish Ambassador to Singapore Mehmet Burcin Gonenli.
"I, and all Singaporeans, are proud of you for your spirits and contributions, despite the very difficult conditions," he said, noting the freezing temperatures and risk of further collapse of buildings. Asked if SCDF could return to the disaster area in Türkiye, Col Chew said that Operation Lionheart would remain on standby for any disaster around the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
"In Türkiye, they saved lives. And people were hugging the SCDF members when they were departing, to thank them," he said. The homemaker is from Iskendurun, a city affected by the quake, and all her relatives and friends still live there.Clutching a bouquet of orchids, Ms Akin said it was important to her to thank the SCDF contingent in person.
In a first for Operation Lionheart, two psychologists also travelled in the contingent to look after the team's mental well-being.
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