Event highlights
Strengthening earthquake preparedness: WHO and Türkiye’s Ministry of Health conduct simulation exercise in Istanbul
On 14–15 December 2024, the WHO European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies, in collaboration with all 3 levels of WHO and with the Ministry of Health of Türkiye, conducted a discussion-based simulation exercise in Istanbul to strengthen preparedness and coordination for earthquake emergencies.
The exercise focused on testing the health response to a potential earthquake in the Marmara region, with an emphasis on governance, coordination, health information management, communication, and operational support and logistics.
Over the 2-day exercise, 99 participants from various units and departments of the Ministry of Health, the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate, and Turkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) engaged in simulated scenarios to assess coordination mechanisms and response efforts at national, provincial and service-provider levels. They collaboratively discussed strategies to address the scenarios, reflecting on their existing plans and protocols and noting gaps or areas that need strengthening.
The exercise underscored the Ministry's strong emergency response capabilities and identified areas for improvement. The insights gained will inform the development of actionable recommendations aimed at further strengthening the health system's earthquake preparedness and response capacities.
This simulation exercise is part of a series of initiatives and collaborations between WHO and the Ministry of Health. It will lead up to the International Ministerial and Technical Conference in 2025, aimed at enhancing earthquake preparedness and response in the health sector across countries, territories and regions around the Mediterranean Sea and the Balkans. Lessons learned from Türkiye’s experience will be shared at the Conference.
Event notice
From 14–15 December 2024, the WHO European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies (PHHE) will host a discussion-based simulation exercise in Istanbul, Türkiye. The exercise will simulate an earthquake in the Marmara region to test multiple aspects of health emergency response – including governance, coordination, health information management, communication, operational support and logistics.
This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Türkiye to respond effectively to earthquakes. It marks the third phase of a series of joint activities planned and implemented by the PHHE in collaboration with the MoH, following a request for support to facilitate lessons learning from the health response to the 6 February 2023 earthquakes.
The exercise is designed for senior and mid-level decision-makers and technical personnel from the central and local units of the MoH and representatives from other relevant government agencies. It is led by an exercise management team comprising the MoH, the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate, the PHHE, the WHO/Europe Health Emergencies Programme, and the Country Simulation Exercises and Reviews Unit at WHO headquarters.