Factors affecting coordination in response to the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes

Following the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, in Türkiye, multi-actor and multi-sectoral response structures were activated, which created significant challenges in ensuring coordination. n this context, it is important to evaluate how coordination processes are conducted in disaster situations, the factors affecting intra-team and inter-team coordination, and the factors that negatively impact coordination activities. The current study aims to examine the problems experienced in coordination processes during the response phase of the 2023 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş and to present concrete recommendations on how coordination in disaster response processes can be improved. The study is based on data collection from expert participants who took part in the disaster coordination center, using semi-structured interviews, one of the qualitative research methods. In the analysis of the interview data, the stages of thematic analysis were followed, and it was determined that coordination problems stemmed from seven main themes and twenty-two sub-themes: institutional structures and bureaucratic functioning within the disaster management system, human resources and team management, inter-institutional governance dynamics, resource management and logistics, decision-making systems and leadership, site safety and risk management, and communication and information flow. The study results reveal the necessity of transitioning to multi-level, ethically grounded, participatory, flexible, and collaboration-based governance models that are based on horizontal organization and empower local actors, in order to reduce coordination problems caused by the centralized structure in crisis management models. In addition, it is recommended to establish task management systems that clarify role definitions and authority boundaries, to develop task-based modular training programs, to utilize quantitative decision support systems, to simplify hierarchies and create authority delegation protocols, to adopt humanitarian aid security protocols in line with international standards, and to define prioritization criteria.