Rights-Based Disaster Management: Civil Society Organization Interventions Following the February 6, 2023, Earthquakes
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in post-disaster processes following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes from a human rights perspective. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of 12 Istanbul-based CSOs actively involved in disaster response, and the data were analyzed through content analysis. The findings revealed three main themes concerning CSOs’ motivations, challenges, and post-disaster interventions. CSOs played a critical role in emergency relief, psychosocial support, referral services, and long-term recovery while supporting vulnerable groups’ access to essential services. However, coordination gaps, unequal resource distribution, logistical constraints, and insufficient institutionalization of rights-based interventions limited equitable service accessibility. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of strengthening rights-based and multi-actor governance mechanisms to enhance accessibility, equality, and the protection of vulnerable groups in post-disaster settings.
Keywords
Civil society organizations, human rights, earthquake, disaster management, social work practices
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