AFAD Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Region Accreditation Camp, held in Van Eski Fidanlık Park on 25-27 September 2026, in order to determine the standards of the services to be provided within the scope of the Turkey Disaster Response Plan, to increase the quality and to ensure coordination; 53 teams and 810 members from public institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector from 23 provinces participated.
In the camp, which aims to strengthen the cooperation and information sharing of teams in 8 different accreditation areas with an integrated disaster management approach, social events and competitions such as orienteering, table tennis, volleyball, badminton and darts were organized, as well as activities that improved the cohesion of the teams.
The organization is the reflection of 655 teams and 21 thousand 620 members accredited across the country in the field; The opening program was completed with the award ceremony held after the trainings and competitions.
Speaking at the camp, where public institutions, municipal search and rescue teams and non-governmental organization (NGO) representatives participated, Hüseyin Ceven, Head of Volunteerism, Civil Society Relations and Accreditation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), gave important messages about the new work to be carried out in disasters and emergencies.
"WE ARE FAMILY, TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG"
AFAD Volunteerism and Civil Society Relations Department Head Hüseyin Ceven emphasized in his speech at the camp that all teams in the field work in unity and solidarity.
Ceven said in his statement: "We started the first regional accreditation camp in Diyarbakır three years ago. We saw this beauty there. Both our municipality team members, non-governmental organizations, team members of public institutions and organizations... We happily understand and perceive this when we see you to whom we entrusted this job." he said.
Stating that their slogan is "We are not rivals, we are a team", Ceven said, "We are family, we are strong together. Alhamdulillah, the lives of our nation are entrusted to you in disasters. Your lives are also entrusted to us." he said.
THE VOLUNTEERING LAW IS EXPECTED TO BE ENTERED THIS YEAR
Giving the good news of the draft prepared regarding the status of volunteers working in disasters and expected to become law soon, Ceven said:
"Here too, if possible, we have a draft study. Volunteer law. We hope that this law will be passed this year. Here, too, the status of our volunteers and their permits in disasters and emergencies, training and exercises will be under the law and convenience will be provided."
INDIVIDUAL AND HEALTH ACCREDITATION IS COMING
Explaining that an individual accreditation system will be introduced according to their fields of expertise in the new period, Ceven said, "Just as we accredit you in 8 relevant fields in disasters and emergencies, an individual accreditation system is coming to our volunteers according to their professions in specialized fields." he said.
Stating that a new field has been opened for teams operating in the field of health, Ceven said, "We also have a work in the field of health for non-governmental organizations that want to work in the field of health and want to be accredited to us." he said.
FOREIGN NGOS WILL ALSO BE ACCREDITED
Reminding that the importance of international aid was once again understood in the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, Ceven stated that foreign non-governmental organizations will also be included in the system.
Ceven concluded his words as follows:
"If you remember in fourth level disasters, abroad, especially in the Maraş earthquake, there were non-governmental organizations and teams of relevant countries from 93 countries that came to help us. Here, especially in Türkiye, we will be able to accredit foreign NGOs that want to work with us in disasters and emergencies. We will accredit these people and these teams by providing search and rescue and similar training, whether in our own country or in the relevant NGO's own country."
A total of 4,440 accredited volunteers participated in four separate regional accreditation camps organized by AFAD in Konya, Bolu, Trabzon and Van this year in order to increase disaster response capacity. Thousands of volunteers from all over Türkiye have successfully completed their coordination and experience sharing training in the field with these organizations and have become better equipped against disasters.
