Largest EU financial aid

Turkey receives €400 million from the EU after earthquake

Following the devastating earthquakes a year ago, Turkey is to receive EU financial aid amounting to €400 million for the construction of infrastructure, emergency shelters and the protection of cultural heritage.

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.

On February 6, a 7.7-magnitude quake struck south-eastern Turkey in the early morning, followed by another 7.6-magnitude quake in the afternoon of the same day. According to government figures, more than 53,000 people lost their lives in Turkey alone. In Syria, more than 6,000 people are said to have died.

700,000 people housed in containers
Erdogan had promised to rebuild the region quickly. However, the local people are still suffering greatly from the consequences of the quake. They are complaining about the lack of aid, such as food or clothing donations. According to official figures, almost 700,000 people in Turkey are housed in containers.

Shortly after the disaster, the EU pledged one billion euros in aid at a donor conference. The financial aid of 400 million euros is part of this.