UMT Proposes Coordination Framework for Disaster Units Established Under 53 Different Titles
The Union of Municipalities of Turkiye (UMT) has prepared a model regulation draft and shared it with municipalities to guide the structuring of newly established or existing disaster units, eliminate coordination shortcomings, and ensure uniformity in job descriptions.
Following the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, a regulation published in the Official Gazette on April 9, 2023, mandated the establishment of Disaster Affairs Departments in metropolitan municipalities and Disaster Affairs Directorates in municipalities with populations over 50,000, to ensure effective services before, during, and after disasters.
However, due to the lack of subsequent regulatory arrangements concerning the functioning of these units, municipalities encountered coordination issues, inconsistencies in implementation, and disruptions in process management. In response, UMT—the only national-level local government union of which all municipalities in Türkiye are natural members—closely examined the challenges municipalities were facing.
Disaster Units Operate Under 53 Different Titles in Municipalities
UMT’s review revealed that in metropolitan municipalities, disaster-related departments are operating under 53 different names, and that 18 out of 51 provincial municipalities have not yet established a disaster directorate. Based on these needs and the recommendations voiced in the meetings of UMT’s Commission on Disaster Risk Management and Resilience, a new initiative was launched.
On June 17, UMT convened a workshop titled “Model Regulation for Defining Operational Principles of Municipal Disaster Units,” with participation from relevant department heads of metropolitan municipalities such as Adana, Ankara, İzmir, Istanbul, Bursa, Balıkesir, Eskişehir, and Mersin; administrators of provincial and district municipalities; representatives from NGOs like AKUT, JICA, and TAM Foundation; academics; and public institutions.
Based on the workshop's findings and suggestions, UMT prepared two separate model regulation drafts—one for metropolitan municipalities (departments) and one for provincial and district municipalities (directorates). These advisory texts were distributed to municipalities for adaptation to their specific local needs.
The regulations recommend the establishment of Disaster Coordination Centers, Disaster Education, and Disaster Risk Management Branch Directorates in metropolitan municipalities. For other municipalities, the creation of units for administrative and financial affairs, risk reduction, response, and recovery is suggested.
The model regulation for metropolitan municipalities outlines objectives, scope, legal basis, duties and authorities of the department, responsibilities of the department head, duties and responsibilities of branch directors, and general provisions.
The version for provincial and district municipalities includes sections on objectives, scope, legal basis, duties and authorities of the directorate, responsibilities of the director, and general provisions.
UMT’s initiative aims to address the coordination issues in disaster management observed in metropolitan and provincial municipalities, particularly following the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş and recent forest fires.
To download the Model Regulations prepared for Metropolitan, Provincial, and District Municipalities, click the link:
https://www.tbb.gov.tr/tr/kilavuzlar-ve-raporlar