6 Şubat 2023 Depremlerinde Yemek ve Kültür: Türk Kızılay’ının Yaklaşımı
Food and Culture in the February 6, 2023 Earthquakes: The Turkish Red Crescent's Approach

Author(s): Yeşim Arslanoğlu
Subject(s): Business Economy / Management, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Socio-Economic Research, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: Oku Okut Yayınları
Keywords: Turkish Red Crescent; food culture; disaster management; humanitarian aid;
Summary/Abstract: It is a known fact that cultural sensitivity and respect for local values are indispensable requirements in disaster management and humanitarian aid processes. Following the earthquakes that deeply shook Turkey on February 6, 2023, the Turkish Red Crescent not only met the physiological needs of disaster victims with the nutrition services it provided in disaster areas, but also concretely demonstrated its deep respect for local food culture and the importance it attaches to people. Planning the food aid provided by the Turkish Red Crescent in disaster areas in line with the cultural habits of the local people has increased the effectiveness and acceptance of this aid, and has enabled the aid to create a stronger social bond and sense of belonging. For example, offering lavash bread instead of loaf bread in Hatay, which suits the taste of the local people, or including local chickpea dishes in the menu in Gaziantep are concrete examples that show that cultural sensitivity and the value given to people are at the forefront in the Turkish Red Crescent’s disaster aid strategies. Food provided during disasters goes beyond being a mere physical need, and also functions as a tool that strengthens social ties and reinforces cultural identity. By encouraging the preservation of local and traditional dishes in disaster areas, the Turkish Red Crescent has ensured the continuity of cultural heritage, strengthened social solidarity and post-disaster social harmony. In this context, humanitarian aid efforts carried out with cultural sensitivity have ensured a high level of satisfaction among local people regarding the necessity and effectiveness of aid, and have had positive effects on post-disaster social and psychological recovery processes. The Turkish Red Crescent’s humanitarian aid strategies based on cultural sensitivity in disaster management have not been limited to meeting only physiological needs, but have also been shaped by respect for human dignity and commitment to cultural heritage. This approach provides a model that can serve as an example for other humanitarian aid organizations, and demonstrates that the cultural context is of utmost importance in disaster aid. In this context, the Turkish Red Crescent’s humanitarian aid strategies serve as a guide for other organizations as a model that does not ignore cultural sensitivity during disasters.

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