The European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU will host an international donors’ conference in Brussels for the people of Turkey and Syria who were affected by the powerful earthquake and its aftershocks that struck south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday 6 February.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, announced, on Wednesday 8 February, their intention to organise such a conference in coordination with the Turkish authorities in order to mobilise funds from the international community. This event is expected to take place in March.
“We are all shaken by the devastating effects of the earthquakes that have hit Turkey and Syria this week. The priority now is to work around the clock to save as many lives as possible as many people are still trapped under the rubble, in buildings. We are already sending now a message to the people of Turkey and Syria: the EU will support your communities. Because no one should be left alone when a tragedy like this hits a people”, Ms von der Leyen was quoted as saying in a statement.
In the same vein, Ulf Kristersson added: “The extent of the loss of life and physical damage is becoming clearer by the day. The consequences are truly horrendous. As President of the Council of the European Union, Sweden wants to ensure that the EU’s assistance is adequate to meet the need of the Turkish and Syrian people in this terrible time”.
A post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) led by the United Nations’ Development Programme (UNDP) should be launched shortly to help inform the reconstruction and rehabilitation needs and an estimate of the overall costs. The Commission is ready to contribute to this assessment. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)