Ankara, April 5 – The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) jointly organized the “1001 National Earthquake Research Program (UDAP) Projects Evaluation Workshop and 2026 Joint Project Call Introduction Program” in Ankara. The event, held at AFAD headquarters, highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance Turkey’s resilience to natural disasters, particularly earthquakes.
AFAD President Emphasizes Integrated Disaster Management
In his opening speech, AFAD President Ali Hamza Pehlivan underscored the necessity of an integrated disaster management approach for natural disasters, encompassing preparation, response, and recovery phases. Pehlivan stated that AFAD conducts comprehensive work across all disaster types and maintains coordination with relevant institutions, emphasizing that earthquakes are among the highest priority disaster types.
Pehlivan stressed the importance of collaboration among all institutions, universities, and leading scientific and technological bodies like TÜBİTAK to achieve a disaster-resilient Turkey. He noted that the workshop and project call introduction program serve as significant examples of cooperation in disaster management. Pehlivan also mentioned that the National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan (UDSEP-2023), initiated after AFAD’s establishment, is a crucial step in addressing disaster risks on a scientific basis.
Progress of the Turkey Paleoseismology Project
Pehlivan provided an update on the Turkey Paleoseismology Project, which involves over 100 researchers from 24 universities and more than 300 young scholars. This project, with AFAD and MTA as stakeholders, aims to determine the paleoseismological characteristics of 132 fault lines with high earthquake potential. “This project is ongoing,” Pehlivan confirmed.
Significant Support for Earthquake Research Under UDAP
Between 2012 and 2023, the National Earthquake Research Program received 260 project applications, 65 of which were supported. Pehlivan detailed that UDAP, which prioritizes multi-stakeholder and inclusive approaches, has benefited 29 universities from 20 different provinces with disaster research support. These initiatives have supported 290 assistant researchers and 66 scholars.
To increase the number of supported projects, AFAD and TÜBİTAK signed a ‘Scientific Research-Development, Innovation, and Human Resources Collaboration Protocol’ on October 30, 2023. “Following this protocol, many projects have been initiated,” Pehlivan added, reiterating the continued work on the Turkey Paleoseismology Project.
TÜBİTAK-AFAD Collaboration: A Strong Partnership
Pehlivan highlighted the significant projects jointly undertaken by TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) and AFAD, emphasizing the invaluable nature of their collaboration. He noted that this long-standing and strong partnership has effectively brought together scientific research and disaster management policies.
The integration of academic knowledge with practical needs significantly boosts Turkey’s disaster preparedness capacity. Pehlivan underlined that the TÜBİTAK-AFAD 1001 UDAP Workshop is a vital step in this collaborative effort.
2024 Joint Call and Future Projects
In April 2024, TÜBİTAK’s Research Support Programs Directorate (ARDEB) launched the ‘TÜBİTAK-AFAD National Earthquake Research Program (UDAP) Joint Call.’ Under this co-financing model, 51 out of 232 project applications were deemed worthy of support, and contracts have already been signed for 47 of these projects.
Pehlivan expressed confidence that these projects would yield significant scientific outcomes in various areas of disaster management, especially concerning earthquakes. The goal is to more strongly align the scientific community’s knowledge and experience with the needs of disaster management, identify innovative research topics, and contribute to the development of applications aimed at reducing earthquake risks in Turkey.
He emphasized the critical importance of projects that contribute to policy development, are implementable, and guide decision-makers. Pehlivan believes that projects developed with the contributions of university scientists will significantly aid in a better understanding of disaster risks and the creation of more resilient cities.
Workshop Sessions and Key Participants
The opening program featured presentations by Associate Professor Cengiz Arıcı, President of TÜBİTAK Research Support Programs, and Professor Aykut Akgün, Head of AFAD’s Earthquake Department.
The first day of the workshop included sessions on “Geodynamic Research,” “Digital Technologies for Earthquakes, Scenario, Estimation, Analysis Studies,” “Construction Models for Earthquakes,” and “Waste Management.” The second day focused on “Geodynamic Research,” “Digital Technologies for Earthquakes, Scenario, Estimation, Analysis Studies,” and “Socio-Economic, Social, and Environmental Widespread Impacts of Earthquakes.”
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