Abstract:

Drawing upon the significant earthquakes in Türkiye in February 2023 and the major floods in Kazakhstan in April 2024, this study offers a critical analysis of humanitarian aid distribution by Turkic nations, including Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Türkiye. We delve into the responses of these states during these calamities, exploring their aid delivery to the impacted communities within Kazakhstan and Türkiye. Utilizing online news reports from each Turkic country, this research examines the coverage of aid efforts in the post-disaster periods. Our findings reveal a combination of both shared approaches and distinct differences in the humanitarian responses, influenced by factors such as the technical capacity of the aid providers, geographical proximity, economic ties, and historical precedents in foreign aid. In particular, our research underscores the pivotal role of the disasters' magnitude in shaping the variations in aid responses. By juxtaposing the humanitarian aid scenarios in these two major disasters, this paper proposes strategic insights to empower regional collaboration and enhance disaster readiness that would better equip Central Asia and Türkiye for future emergencies.