OceanExpert ID : 14233

Office of Prime Minister, Disaster and Emergency Management of Response
DEMP

(Office of Prime Minister, Disaster and Emergency Management of Response)

Address

Üniversiteler Mah. Dumlupınar Bulvarı No: 159
Çankaya/Ankara
Turkey


Type

Government


Email

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Telephone

+90 312 258 23 23


Fax

+90 312 220 26 14

Website

https://www.afad.gov.tr/en


Activities

Turkey ranks third in the world in terms of earthquake-related casualties and eighth with regard to the total number of people affected. Every year, the country experiences at least one 5+ magnitude earthquake – which renders the proper management and coordination of disasters absolutely crucial.

Turkey's disaster policy dates back to the aftermath of the 1939 Erzincan earthquake, which claimed nearly 33.000 lives and left at least 100.000 injured. Two decades later, the Turkish Parliament adopted the Law on Precautions to be Taken due to Disaster Affecting Public Life and Assistance to be Provided (No.7269) in order to fill the long-existing legal void. The legislative effort on disaster continued with the 1988 by-law on the Principles of the Organization and Planning of Emergency Assistance Regarding Disasters.

The 1999 Marmara earthquake, however, marked the turning point in the area of disaster management and coordination. This devastating disaster clearly demonstrated the need to reform disaster management and compelled the country to establish a single government institution to single-handedly coordinate and exercise legal authority in cases of disaster and emergencies. In line with this approach, the Turkish Parliament passed Law No.5902 in 2009 to form the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) under the Prime Ministry and abolish various agencies under whose jurisdiction the issue previously fell.

On behalf of the Prime Minister of Turkey, Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Recep AKDAĞ oversees the activities of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, an institution working to prevent disasters and minimize disaster-related damages, plan and coordinate post-disaster response, and promote cooperation among various government agencies.

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Created: 2012-02-27 | Last Updated: 2017-12-08 by Mark Van Crombrugge