The AFAD-designated emergency assembly point lookup is available through the e-government (e-Devlet) system and is performed based on the user’s address. The AFAD emergency assembly area query on e-Devlet provides detailed information about which location to go to during earthquakes and other natural disasters, including the exact address of the designated area. Immediately after performing the AFAD assembly area query, the system lists emergency safety zones determined for the citizen’s address and supplies comprehensive guidance. The aim of AFAD assembly areas is to minimize loss of life in earthquakes. All relevant details about AFAD emergency assembly areas are covered in this article.
What Is AFAD and What Are Its Characteristics?
The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) was established on May 29, 2009. Operating under Law No. 5902, AFAD became effective following the decision published in the Official Gazette on June 17, 2009. Services that were previously provided by the Civil Defense Directorate and the General Directorate of Disaster Affairs were consolidated under AFAD. The agency consists of specially trained teams tasked with crisis management and saving lives after natural disasters such as earthquakes, avalanches, collapses, landslides and floods. Teams directed by AFAD rescue people who are trapped, missing, or at risk of harm following disasters.
What Are the Features of AFAD Emergency Assembly Areas?
AFAD emergency assembly areas are designated to reduce the risk of fatalities after earthquakes. Authorities identify the most stable and safest ground in a region and register those locations as emergency assembly points. Multiple assembly areas may be established within a neighborhood to ensure easy access for residents. After an earthquake, building foundations and floors often suffer damage. The widespread vulnerability of many homes across Turkey increases collapses and raises the risk of casualties.
To allow residents to quickly move away from damaged homes and buildings that may collapse during aftershocks, AFAD designates emergency assembly areas. Once shaking stops, people should go to these locations and wait for assistance. AFAD selects assembly points on the most earthquake-resistant ground available; these areas typically have few nearby buildings to minimize the chance of being trapped under debris. Gathering people at designated assembly areas also facilitates delivery of aid from organizations such as AFAD and the Turkish Red Crescent. After population numbers and needs are identified, AFAD and the Red Crescent carry out relief operations without delay.
How to Query AFAD Assembly Areas?
You can query AFAD assembly areas through the e-Devlet system. To perform the AFAD emergency assembly area lookup, follow these steps:
- Click the relevant query screen link and fill in the requested fields on the page.
Information requested on the AFAD emergency query screen:
- Province
- District
- Neighborhood / Village
- Street / Avenue
AFAD Assembly Area Query
After completing the fields, click the “Query” button. The system will open a map and prompt you to select a point on it. Once the page loads, the current emergency assembly area information for the selected address is reported. Assembly areas are marked clearly on the map so they are easy to understand and locate.
How Are AFAD Emergency Assembly Areas Determined?
When AFAD determines emergency assembly areas, the following criteria are considered:
- Population density of the area
- Ease of access to the emergency area
- Ease of evacuation from the area
- Accessibility for elderly and disabled individuals
- Location outside zones prone to fire, flooding, river overflow, landslide and tsunami
- Absence of soil liquefaction risk
- Not crossing active fault lines
- Limited surrounding buildings or structures
- Flat and even terrain
- Not affected by structural or non-structural hazards
- Suitable for meeting basic needs such as water, electricity and sanitation
- Accessible by car
Once areas meeting these criteria are selected, appropriate signage and notices are placed in those locations.
What Is AFAD’s Purpose?
AFAD’s core mission is to reduce the risk of disasters, particularly earthquakes, strengthen societal resilience, and coordinate efforts to prevent and respond to disasters. AFAD teams work to raise public awareness about earthquake preparedness and to minimize loss of life during seismic events. Specialized teams carry out research and development and build institutional capacity to ensure effective prevention measures and post-earthquake response. AFAD aims to implement all necessary safety actions before an earthquake, clear rubble afterward, and save lives. Professional search and rescue teams carefully locate and extract people trapped under debris, ensuring they are brought out without harm.
What Are AFAD’s Duties?
The responsibilities and scope of AFAD and its specialized teams include the following:
- Planning and coordinating nationwide emergency interventions and risk management activities to minimize loss of life and property.
- Determining current emergency assembly areas so people can gather safely during earthquakes and other natural disasters.
- Providing planning and logistical information to designated emergency zones.
- Announcing and implementing preventive strategies related to earthquakes in emergency assembly areas.
- Publishing assembly area information as part of AFAD’s duties.
- Ensuring that potentially hazardous structures are rebuilt in accordance with relevant plans, projects and zoning regulations to reduce future risk.
- Coordinating in-kind and cash assistance for people affected by disasters.
- Monitoring domestic and international disasters and maintaining archives and planning records.
- Preparing crisis management plans for emergencies and disasters and ensuring relief operations comply with regulatory strategies.
- Informing relevant authorities about public investments and personnel needs within AFAD.
- Promoting widespread use of earthquake and disaster insurance.
- Defining service standards for before-and-after emergency periods, performing quality control and conducting drills to test team readiness.
- Carrying out additional duties as assigned by the AFAD director.
- Conducting search and rescue operations after earthquakes; teams systematically locate and rescue those trapped under rubble.
AFAD teams provide search, rescue and shelter support and operate in coordination with organizations such as the Turkish Red Crescent. In addition to its core responsibilities, AFAD also identifies other needs during disasters and initiates required actions accordingly.