AFAD Delegation Made a Study Visit to the Netherlands Within the Scope of the TERRA Project 13 May 2025

Within the scope of the "Turkey-Disaster Risk Reduction through Sustainable Management of Ecosystems (TERRA) Project" carried out by our Presidency, a delegation of 13 people paid a working visit to the Netherlands between May 5-9, 2025.

The visit was chaired by AFAD Deputy Chairman Hamza Taşdelen, and the delegation included personnel from various departments of AFAD, as well as experts from Bursa AFAD Provincial Directorate, General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion, and General Directorate of Water Management.

During the visit, the delegation examined the practices of the Netherlands in the fields of disaster risk reduction, water management, and coastal protection on site. The program started with the Biesbosch Nature Reserve and Keringhuis facilities and continued with visits to institutions such as the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Deltares Research Center, Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Sand Motor Project, Dutch Red Cross, Netherlands Water Management Center, Veessen-Wapenveld High Water Canal, and the Hague Embassy.

It is aimed that the knowledge and experience gained at the end of the visit will contribute to the development of strategies for reducing disaster risks in Turkey.

12.05.2025

TERRA (TURKEY-DISASTER RISK REDUCTION THROUGH SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF ECOSYSTEMS) PROJECT

TERRA (Turkey-Disaster Risk Reduction through Sustainable Management of Ecosystems) Project is carried out in coordination with stakeholder institutions under the coordination of our Directorate between November 2023 and November 2025 within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) Single Country Grants for Disaster Risk Reduction Program with the co-financing of the European Union (EU).

The stakeholders of the project are the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Pilot Province, universities, NGOs and the local people of the pilot province. The total budget of the project is €784,226, of which €745,015 is the EU contribution and €39,211 is the contribution of Turkey.

With the TERRA Project, it is aimed to support decision-making processes to integrate ecosystem-based approaches into disaster risk management policies and strategies by creating understanding and evidence based on science and traditional knowledge showing that "Ecosystem-Based (nature-based) Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR)" solutions are effective and cost-effective, and to disseminate these approaches at local, regional and national levels.

Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) approaches are critical strategies that enable the systematic use of the natural power of ecosystems in reducing disaster risks and building disaster resilience and are based on the sustainable management, protection, rehabilitation and restoration of ecosystems, and the implementation of these approaches requires ecosystem management and disaster management fields to work together, multi-sectoral cooperation, and multidisciplinary approaches.

Conservation, restoration and sustainable use of ecosystems; It plays a vital role in strategies for sustainable development, climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, water and soil conservation, biodiversity conservation, disease regulation, erosion control, disaster risk reduction. For this reason, the power of ecosystems for the resilience of our planet is acknowledged in the following documents:

                • Agenda 2030: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

                • Paris Climate Agreement

                • European Green Deal

                • Sendai Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 Framework Document

                • Making Cities Resilient 2030 Kampanyası

                • United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

                • Convention on Biological Diversity

                • Ramsar Convention

Although the ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction approach is a newly formed concept, the role of ecosystems in disaster risk reduction is accepted by UNDRR, UNEP, IPPC, UNFCCC, World Bank, European Union, and the implementation of ecosystem-based approaches is supported by these organizations.

In accordance with the international conventions to which Turkey is a party and within the framework of harmonization with the EU acquis, it has adopted ecosystem management in its strategies and action plans in areas such as sustainable development, climate change mitigation and adaptation to climate change, combating desertification and erosion, natural resource management, drought management, biodiversity protection, and watershed management. Turkey is located in a sensitive geography in terms of natural hazards and climate change; Therefore, it has to face disasters whose effects are exacerbated. For this reason, ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction approaches, the importance of which is increasingly recognized in the international platform and considered as an effective and cost-effective key strategy in reducing disaster risks, is increasing in importance for Turkey.

TERRA PROJECT OBJECTIVES

In these contexts, the overall objectives of the TERRA Project are:

• Identifying ecosystem-based disaster risk management solutions in the pilot region to be selected and creating scientific and community-based evidence and understanding,
• Increasing local and national awareness on ecosystem-based disaster risk management,
• It is to strengthen capacities at local, regional and national levels for the dissemination and implementation of ecosystem-based disaster risk management.

To achieve the goals and objectives, the Project is structured around three Components:

TERRA PROJECT COMPONENTS

Component 1: Development of Ecosystem-Based Solutions in the Pilot Region

• Determination of the pilot region
• Determination of the distribution/structural and functional integrity of natural hazards and existing ecosystems in the pilot region,
• Analyzing the impact of the distribution and status of ecosystems on disaster risks,
• Modeling "exposure" under different ecosystem management scenarios,
• Development of a multi-stakeholder "Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Management Action Plan" for the region.
• Preparation of a methodology report based on the work carried out in the pilot region to guide possible studies to be carried out for the implementation of ecosystem-based disaster risk management in other regions.

Component 2: Strengthening Local and National Capacities

The outputs of Component 1 will be used to strengthen local and national capacities for the dissemination and implementation of Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Management.

• Examining the current relationship between disaster risk management and ecosystem management approaches in Turkey,
• Development of a "Roadmap Document" for the integration of ecosystem management into disaster risk management in Turkey,
• Organizing an international conference to share good practices,
• Organizing trainings for the people of the region and relevant stakeholders in the pilot region,
• Conducting two study visits to two EU countries to examine ecosystem-based disaster management efforts carried out as a product of long-term government policies.

Component 3: Raising Local and National Awareness

Printed, web-based and visual media materials will be produced to raise public awareness about the project and the effectiveness of ecosystem services in disaster management.

• Organizing an opening conference on the project,
• Development of communication strategy and action plan,
• Creation of project website and social media accounts,
• Preparation of a short video and other relevant visibility materials for the project,
• Organizing a closing conference to share all outputs of the project with all relevant actors.

WORK COMPLETED

• Project Opening Conference; It was held on Monday, May 20, 2024 at the AFAD Presidential Conference Hall with the participation of our Vice President Mr. Hamza TAŞDELEN and the Senior Representative of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey. At the Project Opening Conference, project activities, objectives and expected results were shared, and presentations and speeches were made by scientists and experts in order to raise awareness on "Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR)". Following the Project Kick-Off Conference, a Technical Meeting of Stakeholder Institutions will be held on the same day with the representatives of the stakeholder institutions in order to reach a common understanding about the objectives and expected results of the project and to establish an agreed framework for the realization of the project.
• Identification of a Pilot Region for the Development of Nature-Based Solutions; This study aimed to identify suitable areas for ecosystem management solutions based on the relationship between ecosystem degradation and disasters in Turkey, with a particular focus on flood and landslide risks. Based on past disaster event data, in addition to mapping the regions where disasters are intense, the site selection was made using GIS-based methods with the integration of various spatial data such as forest degradation, land use changes (negatively), urban-rural area interactions, and erosion. Within the scope of this activity, field investigations and stakeholder workshops were also held. In the light of scientific and technical studies, field trips and workshops, the Nilüfer Stream Basin, where Bursa province is largely located, was selected as the pilot region.
• Turkey Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Capacity Assessment Report; A comprehensive literature review has been conducted on national legislation, institutional and regulatory framework, plans and programs, and relevant international policy documents related to Disaster Risk Reduction, ecosystem management and environment. Within the scope of the study, a total of five focus group meetings were held with stakeholder institutions. In the meetings, it was aimed to reveal the relationships between disaster risk management and ecosystem management according to disaster types (such as floods, landslides, rockfalls, avalanches, fires, etc.) within the framework of institutional responsibilities. In addition, it is aimed to determine the relevant ecosystems and ecosystem services, individual disasters, legal regulations, working tools such as strategies and action plans, institutional structures, institutional capacities such as data, personnel and equipment status, and inter-institutional relations, coordination and partnerships. In the light of all these studies, a roadmap has been prepared for the integration of ecosystem management into the country's disaster risk management framework.
• Development of Nature-Based Solutions in the pilot area; Project 1. The selection of the pilot region, which is the first activity under its component, has been completed. Bursa province is considered as a pilot region. The remaining activities under Component 1 require a holistic study that is deeply interrelated with each other, in which each activity builds on the findings and results of the previous activity. For these reasons, an agreement has been made with ENSENSEI for the remaining activities of Component 1. The company prepared the Status Report under component 1.2 and submitted it for approval.
• Netherlands Study Visit; Project 2. Within the scope of its component (Strengthening Local and National Capacities), the visit to the Netherlands was carried out with a delegation of 13 people  with the participation of representatives of stakeholder institutions.Within the scope of the visit held on 04-10 May, the Embassy of Turkey, the Dutch Red Cross, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Hague Delta Commissioner, the Dutch Water Partnership, the Netherlands Water Management Center and the European Union Wetlands Office will be visited. In addition, investigations were carried out at the Zand Motor site.
• International Conference; Within the scope of "Strengthening Local and National Capacities", which is the 2nd component of the project, the activity of "Organizing an international conference for the sharing of good practices" will be carried out. Approximately 140 local and foreign participants are expected to participate in the conference, which will be held in Kızılcahamam district of Ankara.

17.04.2025

TERRA PROJECT NETHERLANDS STUDY VISIT

ANNOTATION

Our Directorate carries out the TERRA Project "Incorporating nature-based solutions into disaster risk management to strengthen Turkey's resilience (Eco-DRR Turkey)" within the scope of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) with the co-financing of the European Union (EU).  Within the scope of the project, a study visit to the Netherlands is planned to be held on 5-9 May 2025. Within the scope of the visit, it is aimed to share the experience on Eco-DRR and to visit good practices in the field. The organizations to be visited and their reasons are listed below.

1.  Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management - Room for the River Programme: The Place for the River Programme is to restore the river's natural floodplain to protect areas that need to be defended.
2. The Netherlands Water Management Centre of the Netherlands: The first central point for water levels and pollution in the Netherlands. In the event of a disaster, the organization where all expertise is brought together to advise water managers, mayors and the minister.
3.  The Netherlands Water Partnership, Place for the River Prog. IJsseldelta, Waal River Island projects: Independent, non-governmental foundation established in 1999. It is a worldwide network of Dutch water organisations working on joint solutions for the future and accelerating global water impact.
4. The Netherlands Red Cross, Up-scaling Eco-DRR Project: An international project to produce, document and disseminate models for ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction with local actors.
5. Keringhuis Publiekscentrum Water:  It  shows how people in the province of South Holland can cope with high water levels and protect themselves. In this information center, it's all about water. Learn about past floods, how Delta Works, Maeslantkering works, and how you can contribute to climate adaptation and protection against high water levels.
6. Biesbosch National Park and Museum: Located in the 'De Biesbosch' National Park, located in the lush delta area of the Rhine River, the museum tells the story of a waterscape created by humans since the terrific flood of St. Elizabeth in 1421. Thanks to the newly designed multimedia areas, visitors can get a comprehensive overview of the history and transformation of these lands here, as well as learn about the creative approaches of the Dutch to managing the waters. In particular, the arrangements made within the scope of the Place for the River Project will be seen.
7. Veessen-Wapenveld High Water Channel: The 'Veluwse Deltawerken', also known as the Veessen-Wapenveld High Water Channel, was built to reduce the risk of flooding. Hoogwatergeul is eight kilometres long from Veessen to Wapenveld and consists of two new embankments. If the water rises excessively, the valves under the Customs Bridge in Veessen open. Then the pit fills up. It can again leave the area on the other side below the Fraterbrug. In this case, the level of the IJssel should be 5.65 meters.
8. Courtesy visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in The Hague.