International Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction Gains New Urgency

International Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction Gains New Urgency After Earthquake Experience in Istanbul

As part of the #ORTAK project, supported by Engagement Global and the Mercator Foundation, a small group of disaster preparedness experts from Erlangen is currently visiting Beşiktaş, Erlangen's partner district in Istanbul, to exchange knowledge and practices on disaster risk reduction.

During their visit, the delegation toured the Earthquake Park in Beşiktaş, which also hosts the command center of the local disaster response authority. Shortly after this site visit, the delegation experienced a real-life earthquake on April 23, 2025, in the Ortaköy neighborhood — located directly beneath the iconic Bosporus Bridge.

This firsthand experience of an actual seismic event brought a powerful and immediate perspective to the topic of disaster preparedness. It underscored the urgency and critical relevance of international cooperation in building resilient cities and communities.

The #ORTAK project aims to foster mutual learning between the two partner cities, focusing on community-based disaster preparedness, public awareness strategies, and institutional capacity-building. The recent earthquake, though of moderate intensity, served as a stark reminder of the shared risks in seismically active regions and the need for proactive planning and cross-border collaboration.

Beşiktaş Municipality and the visiting delegation from Erlangen will continue to work together in the coming days, deepening their dialogue and developing joint strategies to enhance urban resilience.