Esteemed experts, academics, and professionals in the field of emergency aid and disaster management,

Disasters are now recognized as complex risks that require attention to social, economic, and administrative dimensions. Recent large-scale disasters, both globally and within Turkey, have demonstrated the urgent need to develop disaster management systems grounded in scientific knowledge, institutional capacity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, in particular, underscore the need to re-evaluate disaster preparedness, response, and recovery processes through a holistic approach.

The period from the 1999 Marmara Earthquake to the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes has shown that, while significant institutional and structural progress has been made in Türkiye to improve disaster preparedness and response, the increasing scale and complexity of disasters reveal that current systems are insufficient. This situation highlights the necessity of effective inter-institutional coordination and integrated interdisciplinary collaboration. Systematically increasing scientific knowledge production in disaster management and uniting diverse areas of expertise are, therefore, strategic priorities. Multidisciplinary studies in this direction will enhance our country’s emergency aid capacity, making it more resilient, rapid, and effective.

Türkiye must be prepared not only for disasters within its own borders but also for crises emerging at regional and global levels. Ongoing wars, humanitarian crises, and migration movements in various regions underscore the need for comprehensive preparation in civil protection and civil defense. In this context, sharing academic research and practical experiences in emergency aid and disaster management is essential.

Accordingly, the AYAYDER Board of Directors resolved at its 2025 meeting to organize the “1st International Emergency Aid and Disaster Management Congress.” This event will bring together academics, practitioners, students, and all relevant stakeholders in emergency aid to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Emergency Aid and Disaster Management Undergraduate Program.

The congress will accept submissions on a broad range of topics, including disaster risk management, preparedness, response, and recovery. Collaboration with leading Turkish universities and institutions in emergency aid and disaster management is planned. The congress will also feature online scientific contributions from representatives of international institutions and organizations, as well as invited speakers.

This congress, scheduled to take place in Istanbul from May 15 to 17, 2026, in collaboration with the University of Health Sciences and AYAYDER, aims to advance scientific knowledge, discuss current developments, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration. We invite you to present your scientific studies that advance our field and to share your perspectives by participating in the sessions.

We look forward to welcoming you to this scientific event.

Prof. Dr. Arzu İRBAN
Asst. Prof. Hüseyin KOÇAK
Congress Presidents