MAG-DER Neighborhood Disaster Volunteers Association

About Us

MAG-DER is a legal structure established in 2017 with a new structure and its statute aims to create MAG throughout Turkey. MAG-DER’s main goal is to create a disaster-resistant society in every region of Turkey. In this context, it continues its activities with its working priorities based on the principle of developing and organizing local capacity.

• MAG-DER is an association with the vision of organizing all MAGs across the country under its own roof, and works to create a forward-looking confederation with the district associations existing in Istanbul (Yalova, Bursa, Kocaeli, Kağıthane, Zeytinburnu), apart from its own organizations, continues.

• It was initiated by SDC after the devastating earthquakes of 1999, but it can prevent disintegration and fading due to various reasons and was structured upon the requests received. MAG-DER has developed strategies and projects related to sustainability, and prepared an updated training program by taking into account the sociological reality of the society, apart from disasters, and adapting it. Again, in this formation, many publications have been brought to the academic environment with qualified educational staff, and suggestions have been shared with AFAD. In this structure, our Honorary President Assoc. Prof. Dr., a valuable earth scientist of our country, whom we met on 27.05.2022, always emphasizes the priority and importance of moral and ethical values ​​in the teams. Our struggle to carry forward the flag we have adopted in line with the principles of Mr. Oğuz Gündoğdu continues. Our efforts to recruit new teams through MAG organizations in other provinces and districts bearing the same values ​​and principles continue with organizational activities in Istanbul, Muğla, Gelibolu Ankara, Trabzon Eskişehir provinces.

Purpose of Establishment:

 Our Main Purpose; It is to create a local sustainable network with neighborhood-based structures that will enable civil society to cope with disasters against all possible disasters that may occur in our country. In line with this purpose, activities will be carried out to ensure that the residents of the neighborhood, whom we define as first responders in disasters, are at the level and competence that will ensure that disaster damages are minimized.

Goals

 To create sustainable organized teams consisting of volunteers with high awareness and who can participate in the intervention process at the neighborhood level in order to reduce vulnerability to the potential effects of possible disaster hazards and risks in our country or abroad,

 To present a model example for Turkey to develop voluntary disaster response capacity based on civil initiative at the neighborhood level,

 To spread volunteer awareness and participation in disasters,

 To highlight the role of women in disaster risk culture and response,

 To raise awareness for women, children, disabled, elderly, other disadvantaged and special needs individuals in disasters,

 To make a positive contribution to the development of social awareness and risk-oriented culture against disaster risk potentials.

Education

MAG trainings are organized by a team of instructors who are experts and academicians in their field.

With a scientific approach, the level of knowledge and awareness at the local level is measured before and after MAG training and its contribution to society is determined. In addition, surveys are carried out to all segments of society for promotion, dissemination and awareness purposes.

Training Modules and Program Ranking

1. The Importance, Formation, Sustainability and Goals of Neighborhood Disaster Volunteering (MAG) Organization

2. Disaster Culture

3. Basic Disaster Information,

4. Basic MAG Training

5. Volunteering and Communication in Disasters

6. Applied First Aid Training

7. Structural Hazards

8. Non-Structural Hazards

9. Earthquake Information

10. Fire Training

11. CBRN

12. Pandemic

13. Flood Training

14. Field Training (Equipment use, hllti generator etc., rope training, setting up a station, creating a stretcher, transporting the injured)

15. Communication and Communication in Disaster,

16. Psycho-social support in disasters

17. Inter-institutional Cooperation and Emergency Action Plan Preparation

18. Exercise and Evaluation

19. Exam and Evaluation

20. Volunteer Oath and Certificate Ceremony

Our training program consists of a total of 36 hours of theoretical and field content and content updated according to conditions.

Our Target Audience: Volunteer individuals aged 18 -65, who are qualified to be MAG, sensitive to disasters, able to follow training and residing in the same neighborhood.

The priority areas of the Work Program, which we have implemented within our 8-year activities since its establishment in 2017, are to strengthen the people’s capacity to cope with disasters by creating a sustainable network with neighborhood-based structures.

Nowadays, it has been understood that it is almost impossible for state institutions to combat disasters alone, and plans that do not involve the public are not functional. One of the basic principles of disaster management is participation. It is a proactive urgency and necessity for preparing for disasters as well as reducing the dangers and risks in combating disasters with neighborhood-based voluntary participation.

MAG Equipment

helmet and flashlight

 Reflective overalls

 steel toe boots

 Flashlight

 Gloves, dust mask, protective glasses, seat belt, rope

 Backpack etc.

Team Equipment

 generators

 halogen lights

 Concrete hammer drill

 hydraulic jacks

 iron cutters

 Pickaxe, shovel, sledgehammer, axe, etc.

 handheld radios

Neighborhood Disaster Support Center

 A container containing MAG equipment is placed in a safe and easily accessible place in the designated neighborhoods.

 This container is used as a Neighborhood Disaster Support Center

 VHF radio connection is provided between the Neighborhood Disaster Support Center and the Provincial Crisis Center.

 The center and equipment are maintained by volunteers according to a carefully prepared periodic maintenance system.

MAG-DER NEIGHBORHOOD DISASTER VOLUNTEER MODEL:

• It is a well-prepared and tested standard training program.

• It provides a very widespread and accepted corporate identity and sense of belonging.

• It is a solution-oriented structure open to teamwork and cooperation.

• Has well-prepared standard team organization and operational procedures.

• Provides skills to work in harmony with the existing disaster management system within the framework of Disaster and Emergency Management legislation.

Name of Contact Person:  Özden IŞIK Title/Role of the Contact Person: MAG-DER Chairman of the Board of Directors

Phone Number : +90 530 528 97 16 E-mail address: ozden2010@gmail.com

ozden.isik@mahalleafetgonulluleri.org For our activities, see   www.mahalleafetgonulluleri.org

BE A VOLUNTEER, NOT A SPECTATOR OF THE DISASTER!

BECOME A NEIGHBORHOOD DISASTER VOLUNTEER TO LIVE AND KEEP ALIVE! TOUCH A LIFE!..

WE ARE VOLUNTEER DESPITE EVERYTHING!..