The importance of epidemic diseases in disaster management in Turkey: COVID-19 pandemic example

An outbreak denotes a sudden increase in the number of cases associated with a disease. Outbreaks can arise as a secondary risk following a disaster, or as a direct disaster, such as the Covid-19. During the Covid-19 pandemic, countries globally have endeavored to implement various measures to curb the spread of the outbreak, leading to widespread restrictions across various facets of societal life. The implementation of these decisions has been provided by national disaster management agencies in some countries, while in others, it has been handled by health ministries. In Turkey, swift action was taken from the moment the first case was reported in China, and the management was predominantly provided by the Ministry of Health. The Pandemic Influenza National Preparedness Plan, developed based on experiences gained from the previous Influenza pandemic and published in 2019, was put into practice during this period. It has been observed that the national disaster management agency, AFAD, provided support in such as quarantine procedures, isolation measures, and evacuations. Effectively utilizing disaster response plans and coordinating with national disaster management agencies will enable the more efficient management of outbreaks. Considering the likelihood of future similar outbreaks, there arises a necessity to explore how national disaster management agencies, disaster plans, and AFAD can actively participate in controlling outbreaks as a specific type of disaster. This study has examined national and international outbreaks policies and the reactions by national disaster management agencies during the Covid-19 pandemic period. In this context, international organizations and exemplars from six nations were scrutinized. In the case of Turkey, in addition to plans and policies, individual interviews were conducted with 10 specialist doctors to benefit from on-field experiences. Based on the findings obtained, existing problems were identified, and recommendations were made regarding the tasks, roles, and responsibilities that AFAD could undertake in the perspective of disaster management against possible future outbreaks. In conclusion, it is anticipated that this study will provide a significant perspective for approaching future similar situations more effectively and preparedly by emphasizing the role of national disaster management agencies in combating outbreaks.