Collective wisdom against disasters under the leadership of Istanbul Medipol University

The Disaster Academy Project, which successfully united public institutions, academia, and civil society organizations around a common framework for disaster management, has been successfully completed under the leadership of Istanbul Medipol University. Coordinated by the Office of the Ombudsperson for the Prevention of Discrimination and Equality at Istanbul Medipol University and implemented in collaboration with the Association of Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics (ATTDER) and Karabük University, the project was carried out within the scope of the PRODES Programme supported by the Directorate General of Relations with Civil Society of the Ministry of Interior. The project was led by Assoc. Prof. Semih Korkut, a faculty member of the School of Medicine at Istanbul Medipol University.

The training programme, held on 25–26 April 2026, addressed disaster management from a multidimensional perspective encompassing healthcare services, psychosocial support, crisis communication, human rights, technological innovations, and field applications. Throughout the programme, participants received comprehensive training on critical topics including disaster management in healthcare, the organization of pre-hospital emergency services, disaster triage, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks, mobile healthcare units, field hospitals, advanced trauma management, psychological first aid, the protection of vulnerable groups, digital health applications, and disaster technologies.

In addition to Assoc. Prof. Semih Korkut, who directed the programme, the project’s research and training team included Assoc. Prof. Tuba Işık, Lecturer Ümit Topcuoğlu, Paramedic Osman Nuri Kundakçı, Ombudsman Specialist Fırat Semih Avşar, Ombudsman Specialist Gurur Gülce Beşe, Assistant Ombudsman Specialist Yiğit Aydın Şahin, Assistant Ombudsman Specialist Mahmut Said Çam, and Paramedic Sultan Korkmaz.