“ORTAK” Disaster Cooperation Project Becomes an International Model

The disaster cooperation project “ORTAK,” implemented in partnership with the sister city of Erlangen, has evolved into an international model.

Within the scope of the “ORTAK” disaster and crisis management project carried out with Erlangen, Germany, Beşiktaş Municipality’s sister city since 2003, a large delegation from Beşiktaş visited Erlangen. The delegation included The Director of Disaster Affairs and Risk Management Serkan Çoban, The Director of Foreign Relations Pınar Kızılpınar Çakmak, as well as representatives from AFAD, Toplumsal Afet Platformu (TAP), Arama Kurtarma Eğitim Derneği (ANDA), and Beşiktaş Arama Kurtarma Ekibi (BUSAR). The delegation was received by Mayor Florian Janik, while municipal officials Silvia Klein and Tobias Ott accompanied the group throughout the programme.

During the visit, the Beşiktaş delegation observed disaster management practices of various institutions, including the Erlangen Fire Department, the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK), Bergwacht Bayern, and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief. A visit to Lukas Hydraulik provided insights into next-generation search and rescue technologies. Field exercises included demonstrations such as locating missing persons using unmanned aerial vehicles, remote-controlled firefighting robots, mountain rescue operations, and water-based search and rescue practices. A joint exercise conducted with THW focused on flood and fire scenarios, including the installation of portable bridges and water evacuation operations.

The “ORTAK” project is implemented with the financial support of Engagement Global, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Mercator Foundation. Strengthened through mutual visits, joint exercises, and knowledge exchange between the two municipalities, the project aims to enhance disaster preparedness capacity and improve coordination in times of crisis. As part of the programme, a delegation of experts in disaster and risk management from Erlangen is also scheduled to visit Beşiktaş in September.

Beşiktaş Municipality came together with consulates general in Istanbul and Bahçeşehir University to initiate the “Cultural and Architectural Heritage-Themed Urban Animal Shelters Project,” a collaborative effort that brings together cultural exchange and social responsibility.