Turkey AFAD disaster response capacity expansion

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) has reported significant advancements in its technological and human resource capacities for disaster response.

In August 2026, AFAD President Ali Hamza Pehlivan announced that the agency’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and drone inventory has grown to 191 units. This fleet, which includes 166 drones, 20 tethered drones for night lighting, 3 UAVs, and 2 heavy-lift drones, has completed approximately 1,750 operations and nearly 10,000 flight hours over the last three years. These efforts have contributed to the safe rescue of 244 citizens. The agency is also working to integrate artificial intelligence into unmanned vehicle software and has successfully localized the production of 60 out of 75 previously imported search and rescue equipment items.

Simultaneously, AFAD has expanded its certified personnel and specialized teams. The agency has accredited 636 teams across Turkey and certified 21,000 personnel through training in categories such as urban search and rescue, nutrition, housing, and water rescue. This accreditation includes volunteers from public institutions, NGOs, local governments, universities, and the private sector. Training is currently underway for an additional 258 teams and roughly 7,500 personnel to further bolster national disaster management capabilities.