Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Earthquake Aid Network

Two major earthquakes hit Kahramanmaraş on 6^th February 2023 Monday, measuring 7.7 and 7.6 on the Richter scale, flattened buildings of all kinds and killed thousands of people across southern Türkiye. 10 cities have been affected deeply and so far, as of 14^th February nearly 32 thousand lives have been lost. The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (AMM) has been working from day one in coordination with the Ankara Governorship and AFAD – Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Türkiye.

AMM has taken great role on providing search, rescue, emergency, aid, support of food, hygiene materials, clothing and all operations. 3195 personnel have taken part in all operations in 10 cities. 2 main locations Hatay and Kahramanmaraş have been chosen to set up AMM Disaster Management Units who were in coordination with the headquarters and the other cities, in addition with the districts. 767 construction vehicles, 672 articulated lorries with social aid material and 154 articulated lorries filled with bottled water have been sent to site.

Besides the rescue and search operations on field, operations on rolling kitchen, rolling bakery, urban cleaning, construction equipment, damage assessment, mobile toilet/ bath deployments, heating accessories, clothing, hygiene products, dog/ cat food andhumanitarian aid of all sorts have been set for help.

AMM rescue teams have rescued 424 people so far, where 114 were in Hatay and 310 were in Kahramanmaraş.

More than 30 points were established for donations all over Ankara, in which donors have worked hand in hand with AMM for packing, organizing, shipment etc. Food supplies, canned products, personal care products, baby care products, blankets, toys, equipment for disabled people have been packed and sent. While some products have been spared for the earthquake victims who have arrived to Ankara by establishing a shop atmosphere where the products can be chosen and taken, free of charge.

In addition, a Disaster Coordination Crisis Center was established in the Headquarters.

Some of the highlights were as follows;

• 3.195 personnel have been assigned to the region.
• 767 vehicles (trucks, vans, passenger cars and off-road vehicles, cranes, construction equipment) provided to the operation.
• A total of 672 articulated lorries have transported the needs to the region.
• A total of 154 articulated lorries were sent to the region for drinking water.
• 195 tents and 75 containers were sent to the region.
• 6 rolling kitchens and 4 rolling bakery’s were placed in central provinces.
• Soup and hot meals were prepared 3 times a day.
• Besides the search and rescue operations, our teams provided support for the security of our staff and equipment.
• On-site bakeries with a daily capacity of 5000 produced bread with a capacity of 6500.
• 443,944 loaves of bread were delivered.
• AMM continues sending gluten-free products to the region for celiac patients.
• AMM worked in cooperation with 300 moto-couriers who voluntarily went to the region from Ankara. These couriers provided instant delivery of supplies, food and goods to the points in need.
• 52 mobile toilets were sent to the region.
• A mobile treatment device was integrated to Malatya where the water problem of the city was resolved.
• With the repair service, the construction vehicles that broke down in the region were instantly repaired.
• Underground acoustic listening devices were sent to contribute to rescue efforts by listening in the debris areas.
• In total, 228 generators and lighting were sent.
• In order to prevent the risk of epidemics in the earthquake area, cleaning works are carried out in the city centers. In this context, disinfection and spraying studies have started in Kahramanmaraş, Hatay and Adıyaman. The number of disinfection teams has now been increased to be sent to the other cities.
• Various health products such as disinfectants, masks, injectors, surgical gloves, painkillers and pain relief ointments, first aid kits, baby, women and adult diapers were sent. It is continued to be sent as needed.
• Dog and cat food support was sent to the region.
• 3,130 heaters were sent to the earthquake victims.
• 33 funeral transport vehicles, 148 coffins, 44.151 body bags and 42.013 shrouds were sent together with the personnel to support the funeral services.
• Earthquake victims are hosted in our campuses with 4000 residents in Mamak and 400 people in Kesikköprü. All the basic needs of the earthquake victims are provided with the inclusion of psychological support.
• oup and food services are provided to the victims who come to the Ankara Bus Terminal (AŞTİ) and then they are directed to their transportation to the places they will go in coordination with the AFAD Crisis Desk.
• A shop atmosphere is created by the Ankara City Council for the earthquake victims, in order for them to choose the needs and products free of charge upon their wish.