OYAK Cement Establishes ARKE Search and Rescue Team

Türkiye's leading cement producer, OYAK Cement, has combined its occupational health and safety (OHS) vision with social responsibility by establishing ARKE, a search and rescue team made up of company employees. Created as part of the AFAD Urban Search and Rescue accreditation process, ARKE transforms the company's institutional disaster preparedness capacity into a sustainable model.

Following the earthquakes of 6 February, OYAK Cement played an active role in the affected region, both in search and rescue efforts and in delivering aid. Building on this field experience, the company decided to establish a professional structure and launched "ARKE - OYAK Cement Search and Rescue Team".

Made up of employee volunteers from different production facilities, the ARKE team has completed intensive theoretical and practical training in critical areas including search and rescue techniques, first aid, working in collapsed structures and crisis management. Having successfully completed its training as of 5 December 2025, the team will be qualified to take part in professional operations following completion of the AFAD Light Urban Search and Rescue Accreditation process.

"We have transformed disaster preparedness into a tangible corporate capability"

Commenting on the initiative, Murat Sela, Country CEO of OYAK Cement, said: "At OYAK Cement, we regard disaster preparedness as both a corporate and a social responsibility. In a country that lives with the reality of earthquakes, we must adopt and embed an approach that prioritises human life while safeguarding business continuity. Transforming disaster preparedness into a tangible corporate capability was an important decision. ARKE - OYAK Cement Search and Rescue Team, established as part of the AFAD Urban Search and Rescue accreditation process, is the operational expression of this approach. Our team, bringing together employees from different facilities, has been prepared for real-life operational scenarios through intensive training. ARKE is equipped to provide support not only at OYAK Cement facilities, but also in the communities where we operate whenever needed. We will continue to develop and expand this capability."

Sustainable Disaster Management and Social Contribution

ARKE reflects OYAK Cement's commitment not only to protecting its own facilities and employees, but also to contributing to Türkiye's overall disaster response capacity. As part of the company's OHS-led transformation strategy, the initiative strengthens employee engagement while reinforcing OYAK Cement's approach to corporate social responsibility.

17.07.2026

OYAK Cement Establishes ARKE Search and Rescue Team

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