Functions of post-disaster collective action: An ethnographic perspective on the silent walk commemorating the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes

Abstract

This study examines the functions of collective action for people who experienced a disaster. Data were collected through ethnography and individual interviews with 22 people who participated in a silent walk, an anniversary event for the earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023. The thematic analysis of the interviews and field reports identified the functions at three levels: First, at the individual level by contributing to people's psychological well-being positively and giving people a sense of efficacy; second, at the community level by giving people a sense of shared identity with others; third, at the policy level by giving people a space to express their discontent with various political agendas. The findings emphasize the necessity of policy-level change to ensure the sustainability of these transformations. The study highlights that collective action organized by people from the public can be a significant step toward raising awareness of the need for policy change.