Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD) has donated a generator and 31 radios to the Civil Disaster Team Association (SAT) to enhance effective intervention and coordination during emergencies. These crucial pieces of equipment, which ensure uninterrupted communication and meet energy needs, will significantly improve SAT teams' efficiency in responding to fires, earthquakes, and other emergencies. The donation was made as part of the collaboration protocol signed between ARUCAD and SAT.
ARUCAD Rector Prof. Dr. Asım Vehbi expressed his gratitude, stating, "I would like to thank ARUCAD Founder Mr. Erbil Arkın and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Sinan Arkın for their contribution. Disaster management is not just about responding during a crisis but also about being prepared in advance. This collaboration with SAT aims precisely at that. I extend my gratitude to the entire team for their efforts for our country. At ARUCAD, we wanted to fulfill our responsibility, and we will continue to support initiatives in this field with a strong sense of social responsibility. I sincerely hope that the donated radios and generator will never have to be used. However, in times of need, they will serve as life-saving tools in the field."
SAT President Vet. Dr. Tayfun Çanakçı emphasized the significance of the support, stating, "For a team that has been operating entirely on a voluntary basis for 12 years, contributions like this are of vital importance. In disasters such as the Mersinlik forest fire three years ago, radios played a crucial role in ensuring seamless communication on the ground, speeding up the response process. We are pleased that these previously identified needs have been met. It is invaluable for universities and institutions to contribute to disaster management processes, and I hope this collaboration sets an example for other organizations as well."
Tayfun Çanakçı: Significant Progress in Capacity Building After the February 6 Earthquake
Çanakçı highlighted the measures taken in Northern Cyprus following the lessons learned from the February 6, 2023, earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş: "We have made significant progress, especially in capacity building. However, there is still a need for advancements in areas such as fault mapping and soil surveys. At this point, the government has a crucial role to play. Associations can only support the government and institutions, which is why more systematic and conscious steps must be taken in disaster management. After the earthquake, there was a major shift in how institutions perceive associations. One of the most important examples of this is the collaboration between ARUCAD and SAT. The radio donation made through this partnership is one of the most critical tools for strengthening communication and coordination in the field. This donation marks a significant step in addressing this shortfall."
Tayfun Çanakçı: The Need Is Not for More People, But for Trained Individuals in the Field
Emphasizing that one of the biggest shortcomings during disasters is coordination, Çanakçı warned that entering a disaster area unprepared and unaware of the consequences poses great dangers and must be avoided. "Instead, people should stay in contact with associations and act according to the roadmaps they establish. Every coordinated intervention saves lives and ensures that aid reaches those affected more quickly," he said.
Çanakçı stressed the need for increased disaster training and stronger cooperation between civil society organizations and public institutions. "In the European Union, 99% of disaster response teams are made up of professional volunteers, while only 1% are institution employees. The key factor that has enabled this system to function is that governments provide full equipment support to professional volunteers. Fully equipped and well-trained volunteers can conduct the most effective interventions during crises. Achieving this level of preparedness is not a goal that can be accomplished within just a few years. That is why recent earthquakes and wildfires have made it clear that we need the maximum number of highly trained and well-equipped professional volunteers."
Drawing attention to the current situation in the country, Çanakçı stated, "For instance, considering the scale of the Mersinlik Forest Fire and the challenging terrain, at least 5,500 public personnel (firefighters and other professionals) were needed to respond adequately. However, if you look at the total number of employees at Civil Defense, the Forestry Department, and the Fire Department today, that figure does not even exceed 800. This reality highlights the situation in our country. As volunteers, we will continue to support public institutions wherever they fall short, but more comprehensive steps must be taken for a sustainable disaster management system in the long term."
Speaking about the institutionalization process, Çanakçı said, "We saw during the February 6 earthquake that the larger the number of volunteers, the greater the social benefit. In this regard, we are working to increase our visibility, train more skilled volunteers, and operate in a more organized manner. However, this process is not something that can be handled solely by associations. The state must have a disaster management policy, and public awareness needs to be raised. Just as in the European Union and the United States, disaster awareness must be instilled from primary school onwards."
The support provided to enhance the effectiveness of disaster response teams is regarded as an essential step in preparing for potential disasters.