Türkiye prepares for potential Istanbul earthquake

The head of Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the agency is continuing its preparations for a potential earthquake in Istanbul, taking into account the warnings of scientists.

AFAD President Okay Memis told Anadolu Agency in an interview at the AFAD Coordination Center that the organization works on potential scenarios nearly every day.

Improvements in earthquake response

Memis highlighted significant changes in Türkiye’s approach to earthquake preparedness since the 1999 disaster, emphasizing increased state capacity and public awareness.

“Our nation’s awareness of disasters has grown, and so has our capacity to respond effectively,” Memiş said. “We have adopted a disaster management approach that leverages all available resources across the country.”

AFAD, which is responsible for managing disasters across Türkiye, operates with a core search and rescue team of 2,500 personnel. Memis acknowledged that this number alone is insufficient and pointed to the agency’s coordination of resources from various entities, including the Turkish Armed Forces and civil society organizations.

“Under the framework of the 7269 Law, we organize and deploy all available resources during a disaster,” Memis said. “Our operations are guided by the Türkiye Disaster Response Plan (TAMP), ensuring a coordinated and efficient response from the first hour of any disaster.”

Focus on Istanbul earthquake scenarios

Regarding the potential for an earthquake in Istanbul, Memis said AFAD is continuously planning and preparing.

“We are preparing according to scientific warnings. Almost every day, we work on potential scenarios,” he said. “We have established the Marmara Disaster Risk Reduction Directorate and are directing all our efforts toward this goal.”

Memis emphasized collaboration with the Istanbul Governor’s Office, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, district municipalities, and other stakeholders in planning for intervention, evacuation, and overall disaster response.

‘We are ready to respond with all our resources‘

Reflecting on the Feb. 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaras, Memis described them as among the largest land-based earthquakes ever recorded.

“Our first lesson from this disaster was to better utilize our potential, including our military, police, and civil society organizations,” he said. “We are now among the countries with the highest number of search and rescue personnel per capita.”

Memis also discussed ongoing efforts to raise public awareness, particularly among children.

“From the first grade, our children receive disaster education through the Ministry of National Education,” he said. “We work with civil society, media, and social media to continuously inform and educate the public, reaching out to citizens through SMS and direct engagement.”