Turkey receives record amount of EU aid after 2023 earthquakes

DPA
·1 min read
3
Siblings Arzu (L) and Mehmet stand in the rubble of Antakya's old town. As Turkey marks the first anniversary of the 7.8-magnitude quake that struck last year. Boris Roessler/dpa
Siblings Arzu (L) and Mehmet stand in the rubble of Antakya's old town. As Turkey marks the first anniversary of the 7.8-magnitude quake that struck last year. Boris Roessler/dpa
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Turkey is to receive EU financial aid totalling €400 million following the devastating earthquakes a year ago.

The amount is the largest ever granted from the European Union Solidarity Fund to an EU candidate country, the responsible EU Commissioner Elisa Ferreira announced on Wednesday after signing the financing agreement.

The money is to be used for the restoration of infrastructure and emergency accommodation, but also to protect the country's wealth and cultural heritage.

The earthquakes on February 6, 2023 killed more than 60,000 people in Turkey and neighbouring Syria. Shortly afterwards, the EU pledged support totalling €1 billion at a donor conference. The financial aid totalling €400 million is part of this package.

A man walks past destroyed houses in the old town of Antakya. Numerous houses in the city center were destroyed or severely damaged in the quake a year ago. Boris Roessler/dpa
A man walks past destroyed houses in the old town of Antakya. Numerous houses in the city center were destroyed or severely damaged in the quake a year ago. Boris Roessler/dpa
A man stands in front of destroyed houses in the old town of Antakya. Numerous houses in the city center were destroyed or severely damaged in the quake a year ago. Boris Roessler/dpa
A man stands in front of destroyed houses in the old town of Antakya. Numerous houses in the city center were destroyed or severely damaged in the quake a year ago. Boris Roessler/dpa