About Us
Who We Are?
Emergency and Disaster Interpreters (ARÇ) is an initiative that was established after the earthquakes that had caused huge losses of life and property in the Marmara region in 1999 and operates on a voluntary basis.
- The ARÇ Organization, which operated with an autonomous internal structure, continued its activities under the legal structure of the Translation Association until August 2024. In response to the needs that emerged following the February 6, 2023 earthquakes, a restructuring process was initiated, and as of August 12, 2024, Emergency and Disaster Interpreters Association (ARÇ) was established.
- ARÇ works in cooperation with several NGOs and initiatives interested in disaster interpretation.
- The leading examples are the Translation and Interpreting Association-Turkey, Conference Interpreters’ Association of Turkey, Translators' Association of Turkey, the Istanbul Chamber of Tourist Guides, as well as the student clubs of various universities
- It is not necessary to be a member of any association to become a member of the ARÇ.
- ARÇ has members and representatives in a large number of provinces. Primarily, units have been established in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.
ARÇ
PURPOSE AND STRUCTURE
The purpose of ARÇ is to carry out international communication and interpreting activities needed in disaster situations in a purposeful and prepared manner. The organisation gives trainings and takes action within this framework.
- Emergency and disaster interpreting has its unique requirements and challenges. For this reason, trainings are being conducted to prepare interpreters for this type of tasks.
- Another point of vital importance in terms of interpretating tasks at disaster conditions is the ability of suitably qualified interpreters to quickly assign for duties in appropriate places:
- ARÇ Organization determines the need for interpreting in case of emergency response and establishes connections with the relevant official institutions and NGOs.
The main decision-making body of ARÇ is the Management Community, which consists of ARÇ members with training and experience in disasters and interpreting. The coordination of the ARÇ Organization is provided by an Assignment Unit consisting of some members of the Management Community, assigned for two-year periods.
ARÇ
HOW TO JOIN?
ARÇ, which was founded with the participation of volunteers, is open to anyone who speaks at least one foreign language at a level to communicate fluently orally. ARÇ membership is independent of the membership of the association and does not require being a professional interpreter.
You can become a ARÇ volunteer by filling out the application form on this website.
- Those who fill out the application form will be included in the ARÇ communication network. Information sharing and announcements are made from here.
- By participating in the trainings and other events that will be announced, you can take part in more active tasks in ARÇ.
- Emergency and Disaster Interpreters (ARÇ) is a volunteer-based initiative that emerged in the aftermath of the earthquakes in Marmara Region in 1999, which caused massive loss of life and material damage.
- In early 2000, ARÇ was formed as a result of a comprehensive special-purpose training scourse developed and implemented at Istanbul University Faculty of Letters in cooperation with the Istanbul Civil Defence Directorate.
- After the initial training, an organisational structure was established to be ready to respond to disasters and emergencies.
- The ARÇ Organisation was established as an autonomous structure under the legal entity of the Translation and Interpreting Association in order to ensure rapid action in case of need.
- In March 2001, the ARÇ Organisation of the Translation and Interpreting Association signed a protocol of collaboration with the Istanbul Governorate and the Istanbul Civil Defence Directorate.
- Thus, ARÇ emerged as a result of a tripartite cooperation (university, NGO and official institutions). In consideration of the necessities of communicational tasks at disasters and emergencies, the membership requirements of ARÇ and participation in ARÇ activities were structured differently from the membership of any association.
The aim of ARÇ is to carry out international communication and translation activities in disaster situations in a fit-for-purpose and prepared manner. Within this framework, trainings are provided and an organisational structure is established. In disasters and emergencies, via the Assignment Unit at the centre and at certain points, ARÇ representatives carry out the coordination. In this scope, many activities such as determining the need for translation, establishing contacts with relevant official institutions and NGOs, directing interpreters and supporting interpreters in the field are managed.
Disaster and emergency interpreting has its specific demands and challenges. Trainings are organised and exercises are attended in order to prepare the interpreters for such assignments. The MODEX exercise organised by the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism in Tekirdağ in November 2021 has been the most comprehensive international exercise ever held in Turkey. In 2001, ARÇ received the Communication Award from the Congress Magazine and in 2012, the Changemakers Award from the Sabancı Foundation.
Another vital point in terms of translation tasks under disaster conditions is the rapid deployment of suitably qualified interpreters to the appropriate location.
- The ARÇ initiative was launched in 2000 with the trainings given at Istanbul University, and in the following period, the trainings spread throughout the country with the active participation of lecturers from Hacettepe and Dokuz Eylül Universities.
- Hundreds of people have so far benefited from the trainings at various levels. In parallel with the trainings, the organisation has also grown and various tasks have been undertaken.
- ARÇ currently has members and representatives in many provinces. Units have been established in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, where the organisation is primarily organised.
- ARÇ has participated in numerous exercises and conducted various exercises within its own organisation.
ARÇ has carried out many translation and interpreting activities in various incidents (earthquakes, fires, refugees, epidemics, etc.) and events (disaster response guidelines, international meetings, accreditation exams, exercises, etc.) in Turkey and abroad.
ARÇ was particularly active during the devastating earthquake in and around Van in 2011, where the ARÇ organisation was involved in the disaster response with all its components.
On 6 February 2023, ARÇ's infrastructure, prepared workforce, cooperation with affiliated NGOs, and management of additional volunteer participation functions were put into action at the highest degree in the aftermath of the unprecedented devastating earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş.
Contact US
Address:
Demirtaş Mahallesi. Ayrancı Sokak.
No:14, Fatih-İSTANBUL