Examination of individual usage levels of mobile applications for disaster response

The world is a complex and dynamic planet constantly grappling with the challenges posed by natural disasters. Among these, earthquakes represent a significant threat, particularly for populations residing along active fault lines. Turkey is one of the countries with high seismic risk, and the devastating earthquake that struck Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, highlighted this reality once again. This study aims to explore individuals' experiences with disaster-related mobile applications and examine their interactions with such technologies. The research evaluates individuals' capabilities in accessing information, reaching aid resources, and utilizing communication tools during emergencies. Initially, an in-depth analysis of existing emergency mobile applications was conducted, accompanied by a comprehensive literature review on the role of digital communication in disaster management. Subsequently, a survey was administered to 254 participants across Turkey to assess their experiences with mobile applications designed for disaster response. Furthermore, qualitative interviews with application developers provided deeper insights into users' needs and perceptions regarding these applications. The findings indicate that the majority of participants possess adequate experience in using mobile applications to access information and request aid during disasters. However, variations in usage were observed based on certain parameters. In conclusion, this study underscores the critical role of mobile application usage in disaster management and crisis scenarios, offering recommendations for the effective utilization of mobile technologies for communication and collaboration in disaster response efforts.