Examining the performance of responding to the Khoy earthquake 2022, challenges, strengths, and lessons learned: thematic analysis

TL;DR

This study analyzes the response to the 2022 Khoy earthquake in Iran to identify challenges, strengths, and lessons learned in disaster management.

Contribution

The study provides a detailed thematic analysis of the Khoy earthquake response, offering insights for improving disaster management in developing countries.

Findings

The response included 8 main categories such as warning systems and logistics operations.

Data saturation was achieved after 40 interviews, revealing 39 sub-categories of experiences and lessons.

Findings can help planners revise action and prevention plans for future disasters.

Abstract

Disasters in developing countries result in higher human and financial losses compared to global standards, with the death rate being 12 times higher than that of developed countries. Many experts attribute the failures in disaster management to the lack of a system for documenting and analyzing disaster management functions and not leveraging the experiences and lessons learned. This study employed a qualitative data collection approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with managers, deputies, members of operational teams, and individuals affected by the disaster in the area. This research aims to explore the challenges, strengths, and lessons learned from the response to the Khoy earthquake in Iran.

After conducting 40 interviews and achieving data saturation, we extracted experiences and lessons learned to investigate the performance of responsible organizations in the 2022 Khoy earthquake. The obtained data were categorized into 8 categories and 39 sub-categories. These categories encompassed warning and calling forces, disaster assessment, disaster commanding, emergency housing, supply and distribution of items, organization, and guidance of public participation and charities, psychological support, logistics operations, monitoring, evaluation, documentation, information dissemination, and media management. Planners and operational managers can use the findings to review and revise their action and prevention plans.