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AFAD

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD; Turkish: Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı) is Turkey's centralized governmental agency responsible for overseeing disaster prevention, risk mitigation, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery nationwide. Established on 17 December 2009 under Law No. 5902 as a consolidation of prior fragmented entities like civil defense and emergency units, it operates beneath the Ministry of Interior with a mandate to coordinate multi-institutional efforts, monitor hazards such as seismic activity via 1,143 observation stations, and minimize losses from events including earthquakes, floods, fires, and industrial accidents.^[1]^[2]^[3] AFAD maintains operational capacity through 81 provincial directorates and 11 specialized search-and-rescue units, enabling rapid deployment for domestic crises and international aid missions, such as coordinating responses to over 5,300 incidents in 2022 alone, encompassing mining collapses and widespread wildfires.^[4]^[1] The agency has extended its role into global humanitarian logistics, dispatching teams and supplies to regions like Syria following regime changes and offering assistance in Gaza recovery efforts, underscoring Turkey's emphasis on cross-border disaster diplomacy.^[5]^[6] Its defining test came during the February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes (magnitudes 7.8 and 7.5), which devastated 11 provinces, caused over 50,000 fatalities, and displaced millions; while AFAD mobilized extensive search-and-rescue and aid distribution, empirical assessments of response timelines revealed delays in initial activations and coordination gaps attributable to over-centralization and pre-event budget reductions from 12.1 billion to 8 billion Turkish lira.^[7]^[8]^[9] These shortcomings, compounded by lax enforcement of building standards in seismically vulnerable zones, amplified casualties despite AFAD's institutional framework, prompting internal admissions of procedural failures in prior drills and calls for decentralized reforms to enhance causal efficacy in future high-impact events.^[10]^[11]

History

Establishment (2009)

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) was established in 2009 through the enactment of Law No. 5902 by the Turkish Parliament, creating a centralized institution to address longstanding deficiencies in disaster coordination revealed by the 1999 Marmara earthquake, which killed more than 17,000 people amid fragmented responses across multiple agencies that delayed aid and exacerbated casualties.^[1]^[4]^[12] Law No. 5902 merged three primary entities previously handling disjointed aspects of disaster affairs—the Prime Ministry Crisis Coordination Center, the Civil Defense General Directorate under the Ministry of Interior, and the Disaster Affairs General Directorate under the State Planning Organization—into AFAD as a single authority under the Prime Ministry, with the explicit goal of eliminating inter-agency rivalries and bureaucratic delays through unified command and direct executive oversight.^[13]^[14] This restructuring prioritized hierarchical integration to enable faster decision-making and resource mobilization, drawing on empirical lessons from prior events where decentralized structures had proven causally ineffective in mitigating seismic risks prevalent in Turkey's tectonic landscape. Positioned initially under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, AFAD was endowed with authority to oversee national disaster policy, reflecting a deliberate shift toward centralized governance to enhance preparedness against recurring hazards like earthquakes, while subordinating provincial units to national directives for consistent application.^[1] The law's framework emphasized preventive coordination over reactive fragmentation, aiming to institutionalize evidence-based protocols informed by the 1999 quake's coordination failures, such as untrained ad-hoc responses and overlapping jurisdictions that prolonged suffering.^[14]^[12]

Evolution and Key Reforms (2010s–2020s)

In the 2010s, AFAD intensified its capacity-building efforts following the 2011 Van earthquakes, which highlighted gaps in coordinated search and rescue operations. The agency deployed 140 search and rescue teams totaling 4,418 personnel, alongside 42 rescue dogs, demonstrating an initial scaling of specialized units to address seismic vulnerabilities in eastern Turkey.^[15] This response informed subsequent expansions in team training and equipment procurement, aligning with AFAD's mandate to establish early warning and monitoring systems for hazards including earthquakes and tsunamis.^[16] Concurrently, the volunteer program expanded rapidly to bolster grassroots involvement in disaster cycles, growing from nascent recruitment drives to incorporating diverse roles in preparedness and response; by 2021, volunteer numbers exceeded 300,000, with over half aged 18-29, reflecting sustained recruitment momentum throughout the decade.^[17] The decade also saw the formulation of the National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan (UDSEP-2023), initiated around 2011 as a multi-stakeholder framework to mitigate seismic risks through risk mapping, resilient urban planning, and awareness campaigns targeting schools, workplaces, and communities.^[18] ^[19] This plan emphasized preventing losses via updated building codes and settlement redesigns, with AFAD coordinating implementation across ministries and local entities to achieve safer infrastructure by 2023. Annual aid delivery budgets underscored operational scaling, rising from TL 296 million in 2010 to TL 2.9 billion by 2018, enabling investments in logistics and inter-agency protocols.^[2] Entering the 2020s, AFAD advanced digital tools for public engagement and rapid alerts, launching the eAFAD mobile application by 2021 to disseminate real-time warnings, precautions, and features like single-touch emergency calls and assembly area locators.^[20] ^[21] These integrations complemented UDSEP-2023's risk assessment pillars, incorporating geospatial data for hazard modeling and provincial-level disaster risk plans, as piloted in 2020 to enhance localized resilience against floods and fires.^[22] Institutional adaptations focused on streamlined coordination, prioritizing preemptive risk analysis over reactive measures, as embedded in AFAD's 2009 foundational legislation and refined through post-event evaluations of events like 2020 floods in regions such as Giresun and Bursa.^[23] ^[24] This evolution positioned AFAD for multi-hazard responses, with emphasis on data-driven protocols to reduce response dependencies on ad-hoc mobilizations prevalent before 2009.^[1]

Organizational Structure

Leadership and Governance

The leadership of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) is headed by a president appointed by the President of Turkey, who holds responsibility for strategic oversight, policy formulation, and coordination of national disaster response efforts.^[1] This appointment process operates within Turkey's presidential system, established following the 2017 constitutional referendum, placing AFAD under the Ministry of the Interior per Presidential Decree No. 4.^[3] Critics have highlighted instances of appointments prioritizing political loyalty over specialized expertise, such as the January 2023 naming of theologian İsmail Palakoğlu—who lacked prior experience in humanitarian aid or emergency management—to lead AFAD's disaster response department, potentially undermining decision-making efficacy in high-stakes scenarios.^[25] ^[26] Government defenders have countered that such selections ensure alignment with national priorities, though empirical assessments of expertise gaps remain contested.^[27] AFAD's governance incorporates advisory mechanisms, including the Disaster and Emergency Coordination Board, which evaluates situational data during crises and recommends actionable measures to the presidency.^[28] This board facilitates inter-agency collaboration, integrating inputs from entities such as the Ministry of Health for medical logistics, the Turkish Armed Forces for search-and-rescue operations, and other governmental bodies to streamline resource allocation and response protocols.^[1] Accountability flows through hierarchical reporting to the Ministry of the Interior, with decision layers emphasizing centralized command to mitigate fragmented authority, though this structure has been linked by analysts to risks of delayed adaptability if frontline expertise is sidelined.^[14] Funding for AFAD derives from annual allocations within Turkey's central government budget, with 2023 appropriations set at 8.08 billion Turkish lira, reflecting fiscal priorities amid broader economic constraints.^[4] These resources support operational mandates, with transparency maintained via public expenditure reports published on AFAD's official platforms, enabling oversight of allocations for preparedness and response activities.^[29] However, independent analyses have noted vulnerabilities in funding transparency, particularly for donor contributions, where regulatory ambiguities could influence governance integrity and resource deployment decisions.^[30]

Departments and Specialized Groups

AFAD's specialized groups encompass six core units dedicated to enhancing technical capabilities in disaster management: the Search and Rescue Group, Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear (CBRN) Group, Fire Group, Basic Disaster Awareness Group, Planning Group, and Regulations Group.^[31] The Search and Rescue Group is equipped with advanced tools such as life-detection devices for locating survivors under debris and trained canine teams certified through national sniffer dog courses, with at least five such teams having received competency certificates as of 2019.^[32]^[33] The CBRN Group focuses on mitigation of hazardous material incidents through specialized detection and containment protocols. The Fire Group maintains resources for rapid fire suppression and hazardous material handling in fire scenarios. The Basic Disaster Awareness Group develops training modules on fundamental risk recognition and response techniques. The Planning Group handles strategic coordination frameworks, incorporating geospatial information systems (GIS) for mapping vulnerabilities. The Regulations Group oversees compliance with national and international standards for operational protocols. Complementing these central groups, AFAD deploys Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) aligned with global benchmarks for rapid deployment and self-sufficiency in acute phases.^[34] The agency's decentralized framework includes 81 provincial directorates, corresponding to Turkey's provinces, which facilitate localized technical execution and resource allocation.^[1]

Mandate and Responsibilities

Risk Assessment and Prevention

AFAD conducts national risk analyses to identify and mitigate disaster vulnerabilities, including seismic zoning through its probabilistic seismic hazard map, which delineates peak ground acceleration values across Turkey and became legally effective on January 1, 2019.^[35] This map replaces prior zone-based classifications with data-driven acceleration metrics derived from fault modeling and historical seismicity, enabling targeted urban planning in high-risk areas covering over 70% of the country's territory prone to first- and second-degree earthquakes.^[36] Complementing seismic efforts, AFAD integrates flood modeling into broader hazard assessments, incorporating stream protection zones and flood-prone area delineations to inform land-use restrictions and infrastructure safeguards.^[37] The National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan (UDSEP-2023), coordinated by AFAD and launched in 2012, establishes a framework for earthquake-resistant urban development through 87 actions focused on risk reduction by 2023, including hazard mapping integration into building codes and settlement planning.^[16] UDSEP-2023 emphasizes proactive mitigation, such as enforcing updated seismic design standards post-2009 AFAD establishment, which mandate retrofitting for existing structures and resilience in new constructions to lower vulnerability indices in seismic zones.^[38] These measures build on empirical data from scenario-based tools like the AFAD Earthquake Damage and Loss Estimation System (AFAD-RED), which simulates potential impacts to prioritize interventions in critical infrastructure.^[3] Public education forms a core prevention strategy, with AFAD-led campaigns promoting building retrofits and household preparedness, targeting families and schools to foster compliance with retrofit incentives and seismic codes.^[39] Early warning systems, including national earthquake alerts disseminated via SMS and the AFAD mobile application, aim to provide seconds-to-minutes advance notice in affected regions, enhancing evacuation efficacy and reducing casualties through real-time hazard communication.^[40] These initiatives, supported by ongoing development of integrated monitoring networks, reflect data-driven efforts to diminish pre-event losses, though enforcement gaps in retrofit adoption persist as noted in post-implementation reviews.^[41]

Preparedness and Training Programs

AFAD's preparedness initiatives emphasize building human and logistical capacity through extensive volunteer recruitment and training. The agency's volunteer program expanded rapidly, growing from 51,024 registered volunteers in 2019 to 616,399 by 2023, enabling broader community involvement in resilience efforts.^[42] This growth supports grassroots-level drills and awareness campaigns aimed at enhancing public readiness for earthquakes, floods, and other hazards prevalent in Turkey.^[4] Professional and volunteer training programs include specialized courses on risk assessment, first aid, and evacuation procedures, delivered through AFAD's dedicated training centers. These encompass practical simulations, such as earthquake drills and scenario-based exercises, to simulate real-world responses and improve coordination among participants.^[43] The agency operates facilities like the Earthquake Simulation Center to conduct hands-on sessions, fostering skills in rapid assessment and initial response tactics.^[44] Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams under AFAD adhere to International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) standards, with four Turkish teams achieving classified status for heavy-class operations.^[45] This certification involves rigorous external evaluations, ensuring compliance with global benchmarks for equipment, personnel capabilities, and operational protocols during collapsed-structure scenarios. Regular joint exercises with international partners further refine these competencies. Logistical preparedness features strategic stockpiling of deployable assets, including tents, blankets, hygiene kits, and medical supplies, maintained for immediate distribution in affected areas.^[46] These reserves, housed in regional warehouses, facilitate swift mobilization, as demonstrated in prior aid operations where thousands of units were rapidly allocated.^[47]

Emergency Response Protocols

The Türkiye Afet Müdahale Planı (TAMP) outlines a tiered activation process for emergency responses, categorized into levels S1 through S4 based on required resource scale, with local İl AFAD centers initiating actions immediately upon disaster detection without awaiting central directives.^[48] The AFAD Presidency's central operations center maintains 7/24 monitoring and coordinates initial resource mobilization, dispatching search-and-rescue teams, equipment, and personnel to affected areas within hours of alert confirmation via systems like the Afet Yönetim ve Karar Destek Sistemi (AYDES). This ensures rapid on-site assessment and containment of immediate threats such as structural collapses or fires. Coordination hierarchies emphasize vertical integration from national to provincial levels, led by the National Disaster and Emergency Coordination Board under the Interior Minister, which oversees 25 specialized disaster groups for tasks including medical evacuation and infrastructure stabilization.^[48] At the provincial level, governors chair local coordination boards managing 23 analogous groups, prioritizing local resources before escalating requests upward. Inter-agency collaboration integrates the Gendarmerie for security and traffic control, the Turkish Red Crescent for logistics like mobile kitchens and shelter setup, and the Ministry of Transport for air and sea asset deployment, such as helicopters and vessels for remote access.^[49] Technological tools enhance victim location and situational awareness, including AI-powered drones for aerial scanning of large debris fields and remote sensing systems for real-time geographic data integration into AYDES.^[50] These protocols facilitate precise resource allocation, with field teams using integrated detection methods to prioritize high-risk zones during the critical first hours.^[48]

Recovery and Reconstruction Efforts

AFAD coordinates post-disaster recovery and reconstruction to prioritize sustainable restoration, integrating resilient building standards and environmental safeguards into rebuilding processes. This involves directing resources toward hazard-resistant infrastructure and urban planning that mitigates future risks, in line with national directives under Presidential Decree No. 1 establishing the agency's comprehensive disaster management framework. Temporary housing provisions form a core element, with AFAD deploying container cities as immediate interim shelters for displaced individuals, equipped with basic utilities and community facilities to maintain social continuity during transition periods. These are complemented by coordination with the Housing Development Administration (TOKI) for prefabricated and permanent low-rise flats designed to align with local architectural and seismic norms, ensuring phased relocation from temporary setups.^[51]^[52] Damage assessments conducted by AFAD's specialized teams quantify losses to buildings, infrastructure, and livelihoods, enabling rapid declaration of affected zones and allocation of state funds for compensation. These evaluations, supported by tools like the Earthquake Damage and Loss Estimation System (AFAD-RED), underpin insurance payouts and fiscal aid packages, facilitating economic stabilization and private sector recovery.^[3]^[53] After-action reviews of recovery operations drive iterative policy enhancements, such as refinements to the National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan (UDSEP-2023), which emphasize earthquake-resistant settlements and integrated risk reduction to bolster long-term resilience against recurrent hazards.^[18]

Major Operations

Domestic Disaster Responses

AFAD coordinated its inaugural major domestic disaster operation during the Van earthquakes of October 23 and November 9, 2011, which registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 5.6, respectively, resulting in over 600 deaths and widespread destruction in eastern Turkey. As the newly established agency, AFAD managed search and rescue efforts, geological reconnaissance, and the relocation of 133,762 affected individuals to container housing units, marking its initial test of integrated disaster management capacity.^[54]^[55] Experiences from Van prompted refinements in AFAD's protocols, including enhanced provincial staffing and cross-sectoral collaboration for future responses.^[56] In addressing recurrent floods, AFAD has routinely deployed search and rescue teams to mitigate impacts, particularly in the Black Sea region prone to heavy seasonal rains. For instance, during July 2023 inundations in Düzce province, where over 250 mm of precipitation fell in 24 hours, AFAD evacuated hundreds from flooded homes and coordinated damage assessments to support recovery.^[57] Similarly, in June 2022 floods across multiple provinces, AFAD dispatched teams for rescues, including three individuals in Kahramanmaraş, while issuing preemptive warnings to limit casualties.^[58] AFAD supported firefighting and evacuation during the 2020 wildfires, which damaged 20,854 hectares across 3,349 incidents primarily in Mediterranean and Aegean regions. The agency facilitated logistical coordination and precautionary relocations, contributing to containment efforts amid dry conditions exacerbated by drought.^[24] The February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, with initial magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5 triggering 2,412 aftershocks, represented AFAD's largest-scale domestic response, affecting 11 provinces and causing over 50,000 deaths in Turkey. AFAD activated emergency protocols within 13 minutes of the first quake, declaring a level-four disaster 86 minutes later, and installed 300,809 tents alongside distribution of over 1.5 million blankets to shelter displaced populations exceeding 2.7 million.^[59]^[9] Despite logistical strains from collapsed infrastructure, AFAD's efforts provided rapid aid to over 100,000 people within 48 hours through coordinated supply chains and volunteer deployment of 32,819 personnel for tent erection and aid sorting.^[60]^[61]

International Humanitarian Assistance

AFAD serves as Turkey's primary coordinator for outbound humanitarian assistance, deploying specialized teams and logistics to disaster-affected regions worldwide. Since its establishment in 2009, the agency has executed operations in over 50 countries across five continents, including search and rescue missions, medical support, and material aid shipments.^[1] As the national focal point for the United Nations' International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), AFAD maintains classified Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams capable of rapid international deployment, participating in global exercises and responses to enhance interoperability with other nations' units. Turkey's broader humanitarian efforts, in which AFAD plays a central role, reflect a significant commitment, with official development assistance reaching 0.62% of gross national income in 2023, positioning the country among the top global donors by volume.^[62] In Syria, following the termination of the UN-mandated cross-border mechanism in July 2023, AFAD has supported continued aid deliveries to northwest regions, leveraging Turkey's proximity and infrastructure for food, shelter, and reconstruction materials amid ongoing needs post-earthquakes.^[63] Recent operations underscore AFAD's logistical capacity. In September 2024, the agency coordinated the "Ship of Goodness," which departed from Mersin carrying 3,000 tons of humanitarian aid—including food staples and essentials—for Somalia, arriving in Mogadishu to address drought and famine risks.^[64] For Gaza, in October 2025, AFAD dispatched an 81-member expert team equipped with life-detection devices, trained search dogs, and heavy machinery for body recovery and initial reconstruction, pending approval from Israeli authorities amid post-conflict stabilization efforts.^[65]^[66] These deployments highlight AFAD's focus on rapid, specialized response in high-need zones.

Effectiveness and Impact

Empirical Achievements and Metrics

AFAD's volunteer network, exceeding 600,000 members by 2022, has enabled scalable rapid response capabilities, allowing mobilization of personnel for search-and-rescue and aid distribution in high-intensity disasters.^[4] This expansion from 51,000 volunteers in 2019 supports deployment of specialized teams, contributing to efficient coverage of affected areas without proportional increases in operational delays.^[4] In international humanitarian efforts, AFAD-coordinated aid positioned Turkey as the leading donor in absolute terms, disbursing $8.07 billion in 2016, equivalent to 0.85% of GNI, surpassing other nations in generosity metrics.^[1] For Syria, despite cross-border logistical constraints including conflict zones, AFAD delivered assistance valued at 2.7 billion Turkish lira, targeting shelter, food, and medical needs for millions of displaced persons.^[67] Technological integrations, such as GIS mapping, have demonstrably shortened response intervals by 25% in coordinated operations, enhancing survivor detection within the 72-hour critical window and mitigating secondary casualties from untreated injuries or exposure.^[68] Complementary deployment of international Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) under AFAD oversight provided on-site trauma care, further reducing post-impact mortality through standardized triage and field hospitals.^[68]

Criticisms, Challenges, and Viewpoints

Criticisms of AFAD's response to the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes focused on significant delays in deploying search-and-rescue teams and heavy equipment to affected areas, with local officials and experts attributing these to the agency's centralized command structure, which required approvals from Ankara before provincial actions could proceed.^[69] ^[70] This over-centralization, formalized in AFAD's 2009 reorganization, has been argued to constrain local flexibility and rapid decision-making, as provincial governors lack independent authority to initiate operations without headquarters' clearance.^[7] ^[71] Allegations of cronyism surfaced regarding AFAD leadership, including the appointment of figures with ties to the ruling AKP party, such as the agency's former president, whose tenure drew scrutiny for perceived political favoritism over expertise.^[72] Prior mismanagement and corruption in earthquake preparedness funds were also cited, with audits revealing irregularities like unaccounted expenditures and bribery in provincial offices dating back to at least 2013, undermining pre-disaster mitigation efforts.^[10] Opposition viewpoints, particularly from the pro-Kurdish HDP party, claimed politicization of relief operations, including instances where district governors obstructed or confiscated aid deliveries from HDP-affiliated groups in epicenter districts like Pazarcık, prioritizing state channels over civil society input.^[73] ^[74] AKP-aligned defenses countered that such measures prevented uncoordinated chaos, emphasizing rapid volunteer mobilization—over 100,000 personnel activated—and the disaster's scale across 11 provinces, which strained even a centralized system designed for national coordination.^[75] International media narratives often amplified delay and corruption claims, drawing from opposition sources, but analyses of coverage highlight a tendency toward politicized framing that downplays logistical hurdles like collapsed infrastructure and aftershocks, reflecting broader institutional biases against non-Western governments in crisis reporting.^[76] ^[77] These viewpoints underscore ongoing debates over AFAD's balance between centralized control for efficiency and decentralized agility for speed, with empirical evidence of bottlenecks but no consensus on alternative models' superiority in a multi-province event of this magnitude.^[11]

Recent Developments

Post-2023 Reforms and Improvements

Following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, which exposed coordination and capacity gaps in AFAD's operations, the agency implemented policy adjustments under the Twelfth Development Plan (2024-2028) to bolster volunteer qualifications and overall disaster preparedness.^[78] The AFAD Volunteering System was specifically enhanced, emphasizing standardized certification and skill-building to address prior critiques of untrained personnel deployment.^[78] By September 2025, AFAD's volunteer network expanded to over 1.6 million members nationwide, with 2,649,000 individuals receiving disaster awareness training in 2025 alone across 105 modern courses focused on practical response protocols.^[50] These reforms improved coordination by integrating certified volunteers into hierarchical command structures, reducing ad-hoc responses observed in 2023. Infrastructure enhancements accelerated under the National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan (UDSEP-2023), which AFAD prioritized for post-event implementation to enforce seismic retrofitting and risk mitigation.^[18] The plan's core objective—establishing earthquake-resistant settlements through updated building codes and vulnerability assessments—drove nationwide retrofitting programs, including mandatory seismic evaluations for public infrastructure.^[18] ^[53] AFAD coordinated with the Ministry of Interior to allocate resources for these measures, resulting in revised earthquake regulations that mandate performance-based retrofits for existing structures, directly addressing causal failures in non-compliant buildings during the 2023 events.^[53] Empirical data from UDSEP monitoring indicates a 15-20% increase in retrofitted high-risk zones by mid-2025, correlating with reduced projected losses in simulated scenarios.^[18] Operational metrics reflect causal gains in recovery efficiency, particularly in housing relocation. AFAD's accelerated permanent housing program, funded by 811 billion Turkish Lira redirected to reconstruction, enabled the transition of over 2 million affected individuals from temporary containers to TOKI-built residences by June 2025.^[79] ^[80] Government targets aimed for full relocation of eligible families by year-end 2025, halving container occupancy from peak levels despite initial delays in hardest-hit areas like Hatay.^[81] ^[82] These improvements stemmed from streamlined AFAD protocols for site assessments and contractor oversight, yielding faster build times—averaging 6-9 months per project—compared to pre-reform benchmarks.^[83] However, as of February 2025, approximately 650,000 remained in containers, highlighting persistent supply chain challenges not fully resolved by the tweaks.^[82]

International Engagements (2024–2025)

In early 2025, AFAD assembled an 81-member specialist team equipped with life-detection devices and trained search dogs to assist in body recovery and initial reconstruction in Gaza following the ceasefire, positioning the unit at the border pending Israeli authorization for entry.^[6]^[65] The team drew on AFAD's expertise in extreme-condition operations, as demonstrated in prior domestic responses, but faced delays amid Israeli objections to Turkish personnel involvement.^[6] Turkish officials, including a former AFAD leadership figure appointed to coordinate post-ceasefire aid, pursued expanded roles in Gaza stabilization, with defense sources confirming discussions on AFAD's integration into a potential international task force for humanitarian and security tasks.^[84]^[85] Israel explicitly rejected such participation, with its foreign minister stating on October 27, 2025, that Ankara's alleged hostility and Hamas ties disqualified it from any peacekeeping force in Gaza.^[86]^[87] Complementing Gaza efforts, AFAD facilitated the September 30, 2024, departure of the "Goodness Ship" from Mersin port, loaded with 3,000 tons of humanitarian supplies including food, tents, and sanitary materials destined for Somalia to mitigate drought and displacement risks.^[88]^[64] The shipment arrived in Mogadishu on October 20, 2024, enhancing AFAD's track record in rapid, large-scale maritime aid delivery to unstable regions.^[89] These initiatives positioned AFAD as a key instrument in Turkey's outreach to conflict zones, emphasizing self-reliant logistics and on-ground expertise to sustain aid flows despite geopolitical barriers, thereby amplifying Ankara's influence in global crisis management forums.^[90]

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[DOC] Inputs/Comments on “Zero-Draft of the Post-2015 framework for ...
Example; Turkey AFAD has already started an education campaign for families, schools ... To include monitoring systems together with early warning systems.
[40]
[PDF] national earthquake strategy and action plan 2012-2023
A national preliminary earthquake damage estimation and early warning system shall be developed. ... Ministry of National. Education. AFAD, Universities ...
[41]
[PDF] NATIONAL PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ...
Jan 23, 2015 · warning and dissemination of early warning systems are ongoing. Steps are being taken to guarantee the quality of construction field.
[42]
[PDF] TÜRKİYE COUNTRY REPORT
Mar 23, 2025 · AFAD. Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency. AFAD-EKA. AFAD Industrial Accident Impact Area Modeling Software. AFAD-RED.
[43]
Basic Disaster Awareness Educator Training Course - AFAD
Basic Disaster Awareness Educator Training Course. Aim of Course: Intended for the disasters which are seen frequently in Turkey in the first instance ...Missing: six | Show results with:six
[44]
05.03.2020 - AFAD
Mar 5, 2020 · Within this framework, the AFAD Training Center (AFADEM) gave disaster awareness training for press members at the Earthquake Simulation Center ...
[45]
[ODF] https://insarag.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fut...
The INSARAG Classified Teams, which included four Turkish Teams, were only one part, albeit a significant one of the overall USAR response. In total, 255 ...
[46]
AFAD sends emergency aid to earthquake-hit Afghanistan
Sep 7, 2025 · The initial aid included 150 tents, 1,050 blankets, 250 hygiene kits and 250 food packages to provide shelter, nutrition and hygiene support. It ...Missing: preparedness stockpiling
[47]
donate - AFAD
... medical and hygiene supplies as well as construction materials are donated by 19 ngos such as turkish red crescent, turkish diyanet foundation, ihh ...
[48]
Türkiye Afet Müdahale Planı (TAMP) - AFAD
TAMP'ın dayanağı olan Afet ve Acil Durum Müdahale Hizmetleri Yönetmeliği; 24 Şubat 2022 tarihli ve 31760 sayılı Resmi Gazete'de yayımlanarak yürürlüğe girmiştir ...
[49]
[PDF] Türkiye: 2023 Earthquakes - Operational Data Portal
Feb 6, 2023 · The response to the earthquakes is being led by the Government of Türkiye, coordinated through AFAD and with the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC).
[50]
AFAD expands its volunteer force to over 1.6M nationwide
Sep 15, 2025 · Before 2023, the number of volunteers stood at 623,000, but the latest figure has now climbed to 1,603,900. Daily applications also quadrupled ...
[51]
[PDF] Resettlement Framework (RF)
Jun 20, 2025 · ... recovery efforts to restore access ... national regulations, AFAD's General Directorate for Housing and Construction Works will carry out.
[52]
[PDF] TÜRKİYE EARTHQUAKES RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION ...
Mar 20, 2023 · By a legislative regulation in 2009 ... responsibilities of AFAD with a new institutional structure and wasting time with the establishment.
[53]
Earthquake Engineering Working Group - AFAD | deprem.gov.tr
Earthquake Hazard Map of Turkey The new map became legally effective on January 1, 2019. It was prepared by the collaboration of public authorities and ...
[54]
Multiple Impacts and Lessons Learned from the 2011 Van ...
Feb 1, 2015 · The Van earthquakes became the first major test of AFAD's management capacity since its establishment in December 2009. Lessons learned from the ...
[55]
[PDF] ANNUAL REPORT ON THE USE OF CERF GRANTS IN TURKEY ...
Dec 2, 2011 · 133,762 citizens have been relocated into these containers as reported by AFAD. ... a role in the 2011 Van earthquake response. On a recent visit ...
[56]
[PDF] Multiple Impacts and Lessons Learned from 2011 Van Earthquakes
Personal interviews stated that within the few hours of the first earthquake, Search and. Rescue (SAR) teams of public national institutions and NGOs arrived to ...
[57]
One Dead, Hundreds Displaced After Floods in Black Sea Region
Jul 12, 2023 · AFAD said more than 250 mm of rain fell in 24 hours to 09 July in Yığılca in Düzce. Hundreds of people were evacuated from flooded homes. AFAD ...Missing: response examples
[58]
Floods and landslides (AFAD, MGM, FloodList, media) (ECHO Daily ...
Jun 15, 2022 · Three people were rescued in Kahramanmaras Province (south-central Turkey). Search and rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected areas, ...Missing: examples | Show results with:examples
[59]
21.02.2023 - AFAD
Feb 21, 2023 · 300 thousand 809 tents have been installed by AFAD in the Earthquake Zone · 3 thousand 605 · 6 thousand 328 · 7 thousand 170 · 8 thousand 838 · 17 ...Missing: erected | Show results with:erected
[60]
Over 350K tents, 8K containers set in Türkiye's quake zone: AFAD
Mar 1, 2023 · The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) stated Tuesday that the installation of 356419 tents and 8530 containers has been ...
[61]
[PDF] 2023 Kahramanmaraş and Hatay Earthquakes Report
Mar 6, 2023 · In the earthquake-affected region, 32,819 AFAD volunteers supported the erection and dismantling of tents, classification and distribution ...
[62]
[PDF] TURKIYE-DEVELOPMENT-ASSISTANCE-REPORT-2023 ... - TİKA
ODA/GNI ratio reaching 0.62 percent, placing it among the top ten donors globally. The 2023 Türkiye. Development Assistance Report presents these statistics ...
[63]
In Hindsight: The Demise of the Syria Cross-border Aid Mechanism
Jul 31, 2023 · In July, the Council failed to adopt a resolution reauthorising the Syria cross-border aid mechanism. As a result, a nine-year old mechanism,Missing: AFAD | Show results with:AFAD
[64]
Ship of Goodness sails from Türkiye with 3,000 tons of humanitarian ...
Sep 29, 2024 · The Ship of Goodness carrying 3,000 tons of humanitarian aid for Somalia departed from Mersin, southern province of Türkiye, on Sunday. The aid, ...
[65]
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/25/turkey-gaza-stabilisation-force-israeli-objection
[66]
Turkey dispatches AFAD experts, heavy equipment to Gaza for relief ...
Oct 16, 2025 · ... A convoy of 52 trucks carrying food, hygiene supplies, and tents, provided by the Turkish Diyanet ...Missing: preparedness stockpiling
[67]
Turkey's disaster agency wins hearts with aid to 58 countries
Aug 19, 2019 · Syria was major beneficiary of AFAD aid. The agency delivered aid worth TL 2.7 billion to the war-torn country which neighbors Turkey in the ...<|separator|>
[68]
[PDF] Lessons Learned from AFAD's Systematic Approach and In - Journal
AFAD mobilized 300,000 volunteers, used GIS mapping, and provided aid to 100,000 displaced within 48 hours. International EMTs provided medical support.
[69]
'A crane, for God's sake': Inside the struggles of Turkey's earthquake ...
Feb 13, 2023 · Two experts consulted by Reuters partly blamed the delays on the centralization of emergency response under AFAD by President Tayyip Erdogan's ...<|separator|>
[70]
[ANALYSIS] Major earthquake in Turkey has exposed dysfunction of ...
Feb 9, 2023 · In the same year the Turkish Parliament passed Law No. 5902, which subordinated AFAD to the Prime Ministry and abolished various agencies under ...Missing: 5906 | Show results with:5906
[71]
Challenges to Decentralization of Disaster Management in Turkey
May 1, 2018 · AFAD HQ interviewees claimed that the centralizing change will increase capacity at the provincial level as the governors can no longer halt ...
[72]
Controversial AFAD chair appointed governor in administrative ...
Aug 10, 2023 · The HDP stands accused of links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), although the party strongly denies any ties. The PKK has waged ...
[73]
District governor obstructs relief efforts by pro-Kurdish party at ...
Feb 16, 2023 · HDP lawmaker Ali Kenanoğlu said he was in Pazarcık on the second day after the earthquake and saw no government officials in the area aside from ...
[74]
Earthquakes and Human Rights Violations in Turkey
Mar 9, 2023 · mayors' offices run by the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and Republican People's Party (CHP) have been prevented from reaching ...
[75]
10.02.2023 - afad.gov.tr
Feb 10, 2023 · 137 thousand 973 Medical tents and 1 million 507 thousand 494 blankets were shipped to 10 quake-hit provinces by AFAD, the Ministry of Family ...
[76]
https://trendsresearch.org/insight/over-the-faultline-political-consequences-of-the-disaster-of-the-century-in-turkey/
[77]
Media Coverage After a Disaster: Lessons from Turkey - The Wire
Feb 15, 2023 · Claiming that the information shared by earthquake survivors is a lie creates a feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, resentment, anger and ...
[78]
[PDF] Twelfth Development Plan (2024-2028)
The “AFAD Volunteering System” will be enhanced and the qualifications of volunte- ers will be improved. 839.3. Activities will be pursued to raise disas ...<|separator|>
[79]
[PDF] 2023 Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye Earthquake Sequence: Observations ...
Feb 6, 2025 · By the end of 2023, a total of 1.14 trillion Turkish Lira, including donations, had been allocated to rebuild housing and infrastructure ...Missing: reforms | Show results with:reforms
[80]
Earthquake survivors in Türkiye move into new homes ahead of Eid
Jun 4, 2025 · Earthquake-affected families in Hatay in southern Türkiye are preparing to welcome guests in their new homes during Qurban Bayram, also known as Eid al-Adha.
[81]
2 years later, Türkiye rebuilds quake-hit cities with hope, sadness
Feb 5, 2025 · Masatlı reaffirmed that by the end of 2025, all eligible citizens will be relocated to permanent housing. Hospitals suffered significant ...
[82]
650,000 people still living in container cities in Turkey 2 years after ...
Feb 7, 2025 · As of February 2025, a total of 649,632 people are still living in container housing. According to the report, Hatay, one of the cities hardest ...
[83]
Between containers and TOKI flats: Quake survivors await relocation ...
Aug 26, 2025 · In a container city near Hassa, a dog and some chickens roam near temporary homes. ... apartment complexes built by TOKI, the state's Housing ...
[84]
Turkey appoints former disaster chief to coordinate Gaza aid as it ...
Oct 16, 2025 · Turkey appoints former disaster chief to coordinate Gaza aid as it steps up post-ceasefire role: report. By Turkish Minute. October 16, 2025.
[85]
Turkey in talks over Gaza task force role: defence source - AL-Monitor
Turkey is in talks with its other countries over its potential participation in an international Gaza peacekeeping mission with its military ...
[86]
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-10-27/israel-wont-allow-turkey-to-be-part-of-an-international-force-in-gaza-its-top-diplomat-says
[87]
https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/world/israel-wont-allow-turkey-to-be-part-of-an-international-force-in-gaza-its-top/article_9523a209-eb4d-5325-bb36-63593e67c1f1.html
[88]
30.09.2024 "Goodness Ship" for Somalia sets sail from Mersin
Sep 30, 2024 · "Goodness Ship" for Somalia sets sail from Mersin. 30.09.2024. The "Goodness Ship", carrying 3,000 tons of humanitarian aid prepared by the ...Missing: shipments | Show results with:shipments
[89]
Türkiye sends 3,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Somalia
Oct 20, 2024 · Sunday October 20, 2024. The “Goodness Ship” carrying 3 thousand tons of humanitarian aid materials sent by the Disaster and Emergency ...
[90]
https://www.dw.com/en/troops-aid-influence-turkeys-role-in-gaza/a-74489127