Short answer. Turkey's AFAD asks every household to keep a "Disaster and Emergency Bag" (Afet ve Acil Durum Çantası) covering the first 72 hours after an earthquake, until rescue teams arrive 1. The official list names categories and items but gives no quantities, except "enough drinking water for each family member" 1. A bag belongs at work and at school too, not only at home 1.
How many days of supplies does AFAD recommend?
72 hours. AFAD's guidance reads: "Deprem sonrası ilk 72 saatte, yardım ekipleri ulaşana kadar acil ihtiyaçlarınızı ve değerli evraklarınızı saklayacağınız bir Afet ve Acil Durum Çantası sizin ve sevdiklerinizin hayatını kurtarabilir" — in the first 72 hours after an earthquake, until help arrives, a bag holding your urgent needs and valuable documents can save your life and your loved ones' lives 1.
The national campaign "Afete Hazır Türkiye" (Disaster-Ready Turkey) uses the same horizon: it aims to give every individual a preparedness culture for the first 72 hours of a disaster 3.
For a different scenario, a stay in a shelter after a yellow air-raid warning, AFAD separately advises preparing on the assumption of staying "a few days" in the shelter 2. It gives no fixed number of days for that case.
How much water should I store in Turkey?
AFAD gives no volume. Its instruction is: "Her bir aile üyesi düşünülerek yeterli içme suyu alınmalı" — enough drinking water should be taken, with each family member in mind 1.
If you want a figure to plan with, our guide how much water per person per day compares the volumes published by other agencies. Treat that as general background: it is not a Turkish rule. For storage, see water storage containers.
What goes in the AFAD bag?
The official list groups items into food and water, documents, clothing, hygiene, first aid and tools 1:
| Category | Items on the AFAD list 1 |
|---|---|
| Food | High-calorie, long-keeping food with vitamins and carbohydrates: canned food, dried fruit, tahini and molasses, fruit juice |
| Water | Enough drinking water for each family member |
| Documents | Photocopies of ID cards, title deed, insurance and licence documents, the DASK compulsory earthquake insurance policy, diplomas, passport, bank book, pet health record |
| Clothing | Underwear and socks, a raincoat and clothing suited to the climate |
| Hygiene | Soap and disinfectants, toothbrush and toothpaste, wet wipes, toilet paper, sanitary pads |
| Health | First aid kit |
| Shelter and tools | Sleeping bag or blanket, pocket knife, whistle, small scissors, paper and pen |
| Information and light | Battery radio, flashlight and spare long-life batteries |
The full list, line by line, is on our Turkey kit page.
Who else should the bag cover?
AFAD says the bag should also cover dependants, such as babies, elderly people and people with disabilities, and pets 1. It should be kept somewhere easy to reach 1. Our guides on vulnerable people, infant supplies and pets go further on those needs.
Why does the list stress documents?
AFAD describes the bag as the place to keep both your urgent needs and your valuable documents 1. Several items on its list are photocopies of documents, including the DASK compulsory earthquake insurance policy and the title deed 1. Our important documents guide explains how to keep copies safe.
Frequently asked questions
Is 72 hours enough?
It is the official Turkish target: AFAD's bag covers the first 72 hours after an earthquake, until rescue teams arrive 1. Households that want a longer margin can read our two-week supplies guide, which is general guidance, not a Turkish rule.
Does AFAD say how much food to keep?
No. The list names the types of food (high-calorie, long-keeping, with vitamins and carbohydrates) but gives no quantity 1.
Should I keep a bag at work?
Yes. AFAD says a bag belongs at work and at school, not only at home 1.
What if I have to go to a shelter after an air-raid warning?
AFAD advises preparing on the assumption of staying "a few days" in the shelter 2. See our Turkey alerts page for the siren signals.
Sources
- AFAD - Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı — Afet ve Acil Durum Çantası Nasıl Hazırlanmalı? — https://www.afad.gov.tr/afet-ve-acil-durum-cantasi-nasil-hazirlanmali (accessed 2026-10-20)
- AFAD - Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı — İkaz Alarm İşaretleri — https://www.afad.gov.tr/ikaz-alarm-isaretleri (accessed 2026-10-20)
- AFAD - Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı — Afete Hazır Türkiye — https://www.afad.gov.tr/afete-hazir-turkiye (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
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Sources
- AFAD - Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı · Afet ve Acil Durum Çantası Nasıl Hazırlanmalı? checked 2026-10-20
- AFAD - Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı · İkaz Alarm İşaretleri checked 2026-10-20
- AFAD - Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı · Afete Hazır Türkiye checked 2026-10-20