AFAD Turkey: The Complete Disaster Survival Guide (2026 Edition)

If you live in or travel to Turkey, there is one acronym you cannot afford to ignore: AFAD.

While we often focus on the endless coastline and historic bazaars, the tectonic reality beneath our feet is quite different. Turkey sits on some of the world’s most active fault lines. This is where AFAD steps in. They are not just a government agency when the worst happens, they are your lifeline.

In this guide, we go beyond the dry facts. We interpret the data to show you exactly how to use AFAD’s digital tools to stay safe, and explain what has changed since the tragic events of 2023.

What Exactly is AFAD?

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (Turkish: Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı), simply known as AFAD, is the central state organization responsible for disaster management in Turkey. It operates directly under the Turkish Ministry of Interior.

Founded in 2009, it unified various smaller units to guarantee a clear chain of command during the chaos of a catastrophe. Since February 2025, the agency has been led by Ali Hamza Pehlivan, the former Governor of Mersin.

The Mission: More Than Just Reaction

Many view AFAD merely as first responders. However, their critical work begins long before the ground shakes:

• Risk Mitigation: Analyzing and mapping danger zones across the entire country.
• Education: Training citizens so that every action is instinctive during an emergency.
• Coordination: In a disaster, AFAD takes command over all other units, including police, military, and NGOs.

The 2023 Earthquake: A Turning Point

February 6, 2023, marked a watershed moment in modern Turkish history. Two massive earthquakes (magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6) devastated the province of Kahramanmaraş and ten surrounding cities. This event fundamentally reshaped how AFAD operates today.

The Reality (Final Statistics):

• Fatalities: Over 53,000 people lost their lives in Turkey alone.
• Injuries: More than 107,000 people were registered as injured.
• Response Scale: A massive mobilization of over 230,000 search and rescue personnel, including international teams from across the globe.

Criticism regarding the initial response speed led to massive reforms and a stricter centralization of emergency logistics to ensure faster action in the future.

Practical Tips: How to Use AFAD for Your Safety

As an expat or tourist, you cannot rely solely on luck. Here are the essential tools you must master:

1. The “AFAD Acil” App (Vital!)

Download the AFAD Acil app immediately. Why? During disasters, standard GSM (phone) networks often collapse due to overload. This app allows you to make emergency calls via the internet (data connection). Additionally, with a single tap, you can transmit your precise GPS location to rescue teams. Note: To ensure your device stays connected, make sure you are up to date on phone registration regulations in Turkey so your signal isn’t blocked.

2. Your Assembly Point (Toplanma Alanı)

Do you know where to go if your building becomes unsafe? Through the Turkish e-Government portal, e Devlet, you can view your assigned “Acil Durum Toplanma Alanı” (Emergency Assembly Point). Pro Tip: Take a screenshot of this map and save it offline on your phone. You likely won’t have internet access when you need it most. If the address format is confusing, check our guide on decoding Turkish addresses to pinpoint your location exactly.

3. The Emergency Number 112

Turkey has centralized all emergency calls (Police, Fire, Ambulance, AFAD) under the single number 112. You no longer need to memorize different numbers for different services.

Donating to AFAD: Safety First

After major disasters, hundreds of IBAN lists circulate online. Many are outdated or, in the worst cases, fraudulent. We have removed static account numbers from this article to protect you from scams.

The Safe Way to Donate:
Exclusively use the official AFAD website. Under the “Kampanyalar” (Campaigns) menu, you will find the currently valid bank details for specific causes (e. g., Earthquake Relief, Palestine Aid, etc.).

Visit: afad.gov.tr/kampanyalar

Contact and Location

For official inquiries or administrative matters, the headquarters can be reached in Ankara:

Address:
Universiteler Mahallesi, Dumlupınar Bulvarı No: 159
(Eskişehir Yolu 9. km)
Çankaya / Ankara

Phone: 0 312 258 23 23
Web: www.afad.gov.tr

Conclusion

AFAD is the backbone of Turkish disaster preparedness. For us as residents or guests in this beautiful country, it is a duty to understand their tools. Download the app, check your assembly point, and hope you never have to use either.

Want to learn more about living safely and legally in Turkey? Read our guide on public holidays in Turkey to know when government offices are closed.