Crisis intervention in disasters: activities of the Ministry of Family and Social Services in the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the services provided by the Ministry of Family and Social Services (MFSS) in Kahramanmaraş, one of the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake on February 6, 2023, within the scope of crisis intervention in disasters. The research includes findings obtained from interviews with earthquake victims and MFSS employees. The challenges faced by the victims and their difficulties in accessing services, as well as the problems encountered by MFSS employees and their suggestions, are examined in detail. The study concludes that the services provided by MFSS to earthquake victims prioritize basic needs such as shelter, food, and psychosocial support. However, many victims reported insufficient access to these services and experienced problems related to information dissemination and accessibility. The need for psychosocial support services was particularly emphasized, and it was highlighted that access to these services should be facilitated. MFSS employees mentioned challenges such as lack of coordination during disaster response and inadequacies in personnel training. To better prepare for future natural disasters, it is recommended to strengthen personnel training, expand psychosocial support services, and increase inter-institutional cooperation.