Georgia becomes full member of UN’s International Search and Rescue Advisory Group

Georgia has officially received accreditation from the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), becoming a full member of the global network of international rescue services, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, the accreditation grants Georgia the status of a recognized international rescue service, allowing the country to participate in international rescue and humanitarian missions, strengthen cooperation with partner nations, and further solidify its role in the global emergency response system.

The decision followed a three-day simulation exercise conducted in Georgia under the coordination of the Emergency Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The main objective was to assess the practical capabilities of Georgia’s Urban Search and Rescue Team and confirm their compliance with INSARAG’s international standards.

The simulated scenario replicated various aspects of an urban disaster response, involving the Urban Search and Rescue Team, specialists in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) safety, as well as patrol police and emergency medical crews. The joint exercises tested the effectiveness of the country’s integrated response system.

During the training, four separate locations were set up to mimic real disaster environments, complete with operational coordination headquarters. International experts on-site evaluated the Georgian firefighters and rescuers on their coordination, response speed, technical proficiency, and operational management systems.

Fifteen international experts from countries including France, Spain, Germany, and Turkey participated in the evaluation, giving high marks to the Georgian team’s professionalism, technical capabilities, and operational control.