Recovery and Reconstruction after the 2023 Earthquakes in Türkiye: Proposed areas of UNDP Assistance

Türkiye was hit by a series of devastating earthquakes in February 2023. Even for an earthquake-prone region, the disaster was unprecedented in its scope and the magnitude of the destruction it caused. Fatalities to date number 50,000; 3.3 million people have been displaced; and 2.3 million people are being sheltered in tent camps and container settlements. As emergency response measures continue, the Government of Türkiye has announced ambitious recovery and reconstruction plans, including a commitment to rebuild hundreds of thousands of housing units. To assess the financial impact of the earthquakes and set priorities for recovery and reconstruction, the Government undertook the preparation of a preliminary assessment called the Türkiye Earthquakes Recovery and Reconstruction Assessment (TERRA). The TERRA estimates recovery and reconstruction costs for Türkiye at US$103.6 billion, equivalent to 9 percent of Türkiye’s forecast GDP for 2023. This amount reflects the almost unfathomable scope of the devastation and the long path to recovery. Success will depend on support from the international community.

This proposal from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) outlines proposed projects for recovery and reconstruction efforts after the 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye. The document provides a detailed breakdown of the proposed projects, their objectives, budget, and anticipated results. Programmes are organized into four core pillars: 

1. Support to Government-led crisis response and recovery planning
2. Restoration of critical infrastructure and protection of cultural heritage
3. Supporting livelihoods and socio-economic recovery
4. “Leave no one behind” through targeted support to vulnerable groups