Local Governments Response, Recovery and Reconstruction following the Earthquakes in Turkey

The wider objective of the project is to support and strengthen the capacities of local governments in Adana Seyhan, Kahramanmaras Metropolitan, and Osmaniye municipalities in Türkiye to effectively lead and facilitate the recovery and reconstruction efforts to meet the needs of the citizens affected by the earthquakes.

The specific objectives:

1. Municipal institutions are strengthened in their capacities to adapt, and respond both in the immediate aftermath of the crisis and in the longer-term recovery to their communities;
2. Municipal institutions build back better towards increased resilience to prevent and mitigate future disaster threats.

The main activitty of the project is the development of a Local Recovery Plan, focusing on strengthening municipal institutions in their capacities to adapt, and respond both in the immediate aftermath of the crisis and in the longer-term recovery to their communities, as well as increasing resilience to prevent and mitigate future disaster threats. The scope and activities of the Local Recovery Plan are defined with the local governments, as we want the activities to be in line with the needs and priorities of the municipalities. Additionally, the project will provide each muncipality with subsidies for the purpose of post-disaster reconstruction and recovery.

The expected results of the project are:

1. Emergency subsidies per pilot municipality delivered.
2. Participatory Local Recovery Plan focusing on specific area(s) and/or theme(s) prepared for each pilot municipality.
3. At least three implementation strategies prepared for specific area(s) and/or theme(s) based on the priorities identified in Participatory Local Recovery Plans of pilot municipalities.
4. Disaster Management Plans of pilot municipalities are evaluated and strengthened.
5. Municipal capacity and service provision in pilot municipalities strengthened for disaster preparedness.
6. Urban planning subsidies per pilot municipality delivered for supporting the implementation of priority projects in Participatory Local Recovery Plans.
7. Project pipeline for recovery and reconstruction developed.
8. Project exit strategy prepared.

Each Turkish municipality has formed a Task Force to execute the project. VNG International will provide international and Turkish expertise to support the Task Forces. The Task Forces follow a participatory approach. Their members, who are municipal councilors, municipal officials, neighborhood representatives, professional organizations, civil society members, and technical experts, work together to reach consensus on the municipal priorities.