The role of the local administrative chief in natural disasters: 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes Elazığ example

The earthquakes of February 6, 2023, with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6 in the Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş province, have been among the largest and most devastating disasters that Turkey has experienced in recent years. Following these earthquakes, numerous public officials were assigned to carry out the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the affected region. The earthquake survivors were unable to return to their homes for weeks after the disaster and were accommodated in public facilities urgently allocated by the state, where all their needs were met. Various temporary housing solutions, such as tent cities, container cities, and public guesthouses, were implemented for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed. Throughout the planning and field implementation stages of these processes, the coordination by the administrative officers played a critical role. The experience of these officers in the field during such disasters, their prior training related to disaster management, and their continuous interaction with citizens in their regular duties to resolve issues and address complaints contributed to their strengths in disaster management. Therefore, identifying the successful efforts of administrative officers during the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes provides valuable lessons for future disasters. Within the scope of this study, the services carried out by public institutions and organizations in Elazığ province during the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes under the coordination of local administrative chiefs were examined, and it was aimed to contribute to taking a position in advance regarding possible disasters that may occur in the future. Keywords: Administrative Officers, Disaster, Earthquake, Kahramanmaraş