Disaster administration organization at provincial grade in Turkey: The case of Yozgat province

Disasters are situations in which a society faces severe threats, and local resources fail to manage these threats, necessitating the involvement of national resources. These events can lead to significant loss of life and property, often resulting in unexpected and undesired circumstances. The constant risk of disasters compels both the private and public sectors to be adequately prepared for such events. In Turkey, the Disaster and Emergency Administration Authority (AFAD) was established in 2009 under the framework of Law No. 5902. AFAD plays a crucial role as the institution responsible for managing disasters and is vital for ensuring that the government adopts a more effective and conscious approach to disaster administration. In the processes of disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response, public administration bears the responsibility of ensuring the safety of citizens' lives and property. Since Turkey frequently encounters disasters, it requires a robust disaster administration system. The roles played by central and local governments in disaster administration in Turkey, and the effectiveness with which these roles are carried out, are of significant importance. This includes the planning and efforts made before, during, and after disasters. This study focuses on disaster organization in Turkey, specifically through the example of Yozgat. The research concludes with data analysis conducted using MAXQDA 2024 software. This thesis, carried out in Yozgat, is the first original study contributing to the field. It provides significant findings aimed at improving local-level disaster administration in Turkey.