Türkiye Earthquake Response Coordination – United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitaria

February 2023 – The humanitarian situation in Turkey deteriorated significantly following powerful earthquakes that struck south-east Turkey on February 6 and February 20. The earthquakes and aftershocks resulted in widespread damages and high casualties. The UN estimates that at least 9.1 million in Turkey have been affected by the earthquake with the majority anticipated to need some form of humanitarian assistance in the coming months. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) oversees the coordination of international humanitarian responses in partnership with national and international actors. With GAC’s support OCHA supports the coordination and scale-up of earthquake relief efforts in Turkey. Project activities include: (1) strengthening humanitarian leadership; (2) establishing and overseeing coordination systems; (3) monitoring and reporting on humanitarian situations; (4) advocating on behalf of affected people; (5) supporting the assessment and prioritization of humanitarian needs and strategic planning; (6) promoting emergency preparedness; and (7) mobilizing funding for humanitarian assistance.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) strengthened humanitarian leadership and coordination systems; (2) enhanced monitoring and reporting on humanitarian situations; (3) enhanced advocacy on behalf of affected populations; (4) strengthened assessment and prioritization of humanitarian needs and strategic planning; (5) improved emergency preparedness; and (6) increased funding for humanitarian assistance. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.