EU to send $432ml in aid for Turkey's post-earthquake restoration
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The funds are expected to be received this month by the Turkish Treasury, according to unnamed diplomatic sources to Turkiye newspaper, adding that the date of delivery may be changed by the European Commission.
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People visit graves in a cemetery where some of the victims of the powerful Feb. 6, 2023 earthquake are buried in Antakya, southern Turkey, Tuesday, February 6, 2024. (AP)
Citing diplomatic sources, Turkiye newspaper reported on Monday that the European Union plans to transfer aid to Turkey for the amount of 400 million euros ($431.7 million) as part of the agreed 1 billion euros to speed up the restoration of the provinces hit by the deadly earthquake that took place in February last year.
The aid package would be the highest amount of aid ever to a candidate country under the EU Solidarity Fund.
The funds are expected to be received this month by the Turkish Treasury, unnamed diplomatic sources told Turkiye, adding that the date of delivery may be changed by the European Commission.
“A method of reimbursing expenses, made immediately after an earthquake, will be our priority. If it is considered necessary, other processes may be financed as well,” the sources relayed to the newspaper.
The sources added that the aid package is aimed at supporting critical infrastructure in healthcare, education, water, temporary housing, protecting cultural heritage, and restoring some historical artifacts.
A year after
It was six days ago that Turkey and Syria commemorated the devastating earthquake that took over 53,000 lives.
A year ago, thousands of individuals found themselves trapped under the debris of collapsed residential structures. Merely nine hours later, another earthquake of 7.6 magnitude hit the same region, further shocking survivors already grappling with the aftermath.
Numerous survivors reside in the container city of Umut Kent in Kahramanmaras. Local mental health support workers informed Sputnik that families seek their counsel due to anxieties stemming from the earthquakes and the loss of loved ones. Additionally, they express concerns regarding challenges related to living in containers, family issues, unemployment, and other circumstances arising from their new living arrangements.
The total damage from the devastating earthquakes exceeded $105 billion, with approximately 300,000 buildings across 11 provinces either destroyed or severely damaged.
On February 16, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Turkey reported that more than 250 contractors had been arrested for interrogation over the reasons behind the rapid and destructive collapse of buildings by the earthquake.
