Database Case Contribution: Search and Rescue operations following the 2011 Van and Ercis (Turkey) earthquakes

Following a big earthquake in 1999, it became clear that the Turkish state did not have sufficient resources for Search and Research. At the same time, NGOs active in SAR really came to the rescue and saved many more than the... [ view full abstract ]

Following a big earthquake in 1999, it became clear that the Turkish state did not have sufficient resources for Search and Research. At the same time, NGOs active in SAR really came to the rescue and saved many more than the state authorities did. The response to this earthquake really set the stage for NGOs involvement in disaster management in Turkey. After the 1999 earthquake, the Turkish disaster management system was reformed. A new agency (AFAD) charged with responsibility for all matters pertaining to disasters was created in 2009. Since the creation of AFAD there has been an increased focus on working with various NGOs, among others SAR NGOs. The development of these SAR operations are described using the draft format of the Collaborative Governance Case Database