Initiative: The Shelter Management System
Institution: Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency
Problem: Since March 2011, Turkey has provided safe haven and humanitarian aid for refugees from the Syrian Arab Republic. Recipients of shelter and aid are composed mainly of women, children, and the elderly who require support in many areas such as protection, nutrition, clothing, sanitation, safety, health, and social needs. The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey (AFAD) aimed to develop a high standard for the construction and management of shelters through new software systems, projects, and applications to meet all humanitarian needs of the refugees.
Solution: The purpose of the AFKEN Project is to monitor and govern the management of temporary settlements, such as container cities or tent cities that are built for the refugees. Disaster Temporary City Management software is used to electronically registers a myriad of data, including entry and access to the safe areas, sanitation and education services, city monitoring and safety procedures. It also secures monetary aid. As a result, demographic information about refugees and foreigners who have come to Turkey for shelter is better maintained and duplication is curtailed.
Impact: With AFKEN, Syrian refugees were rapidly registered and settled in the shelters. Those living outside the shelters did not encounter difficulties in accessing services. Institutions and relevant organizations were also provided with the opportunity to operate on more effective and better coordinated system. Monitoring of aid was maximized by managing multiple shelters from a single focal centre. Result of a survey showered the users of the system were satisfied with the overall services provided.