World Bank Provides $250 Million Aid to Turkey's Earthquake Regions
The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a financing of $250 million to strengthen the agricultural sector in areas of Turkey affected by the February 2023 earthquakes. This funding will support the rebuilding process of farms and agricultural businesses in the region known as the 'Fertile Crescent', which suffered severe damage due to the earthquakes. Additionally, the goal is to enhance resilience to natural disasters such as climate change.
As part of the project, approximately 50,000 farmers, livestock breeders, and agricultural businesses will gain access to improved irrigation systems, machinery, and farm equipment. They will also receive training in sustainable land management and climate-resilient practices. The project will include specific measures to ensure that women and youth benefit from the programs.
The World Bank's Turkey Country Director, Humberto Lopez, highlighted the critical role of the agricultural sector in the economies of these provinces. Before the earthquake, these regions accounted for 10% of Turkey's gross domestic product and 17% of its cultivated land. Twenty percent of the workforce is employed in agriculture, a significant portion of which consists of women. The new project aims to restore agricultural production capacity in these areas and to help the affected population regain their livelihoods and income sources.
The project will be implemented in regions where the damage exceeds $5 billion, with losses in agricultural infrastructure estimated at $1.3 billion. Agricultural equipment such as warehouses, machinery, and irrigation systems have sustained significant damage. Luz Berania Diaz, the World Bank Project Team Leader, emphasized the region's vulnerability to drought and desertification and underscored the importance of building resilience against the threat of climate change.
The World Bank continues to support disaster management and post-disaster recovery processes in Turkey. Following the earthquakes on February 6, 2023, the support provided by the bank facilitated damage assessment and the financing needed for reconstruction. The newly approved project reinforces the bank’s commitment to rebuilding infrastructure and supporting economic recovery in Turkey's earthquake-affected areas.