Administrative problems in disaster managemenet that are experienced in the organization of intervention teams: The case of the Van earthquake

Disasters are events that have long lasting negative effects on individuals and societies as well. Disasters disrupt social life and the life of individuals. Turkey is in a geography where disasters like earthquakes, avalanches, floods, fires, rock fall etc. are experienced frequently. To minimize earthquake related damages to life and properties, this study aims to reveal the organizational deficiencies and interruptions experienced by the intervention teams during the disaster and during the intervention phase, proposing solutions for the efficiency of the intervention teams and so for minimizing the damages to lives and properties. Qualitative and quantitative methods have been used in the study. The qualitative study features semi-structured interviews conducted with the team managers and team leaders of the teams that intervened to the VAN earthquake and elaborated the organization-related problems they experienced during the intervention. The quantitative survey which was conducted on the search and rescue personnel who participated in the intervention contained a Likert-scale questionnaire that focused on the dimensions and levels of the experienced organizational problems. Among the results were findings that suggested deficiencies in the theory and praxis of laws and regulations meaning that regulations on paper were not implemented in the field, that there were problems in informing the society, that there were deficits in stocking and inventory work, problems occurred at damage assessment, that there were troubles in the collection and distribution of aid. As a result, the study proposed, among others, legal obligation and control for the implementation of the Turkish Disaster Management Program (TAMP), supplementation of sufficient domestic damage assessment experts, and a public information structure.