Geneva Press Briefing: FAO assessment shows significant damage to agrifood systems in Türkiye from the earthquake

Viorel Gutu, FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Central Asia and FAO Representative in Türkiye, addressed the Geneva press corp on the initial assessment on the impact of the earthquakes on agrifood systems in Türkiye at the Biweekly Press Briefing organized by the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva.

Gutu, speaking from Ankara, said that, since the earthquakes in February, FAO had been on the ground in the affected provinces and working closely with the Presidency of Strategy and Budget and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to assess the situation.

FAO’s initial impact assessment report showed that the earthquakes had caused unimaginable devastation in 11 provinces, affecting 14.6 million people and resulting in more than USD 6.7 billion in loss and damage in crop and livestock production, food stocks, and agricultural infrastructure and assets. Those 11 provinces accounted for 20 percent of Türkiye's agricultural production, 15 percent of its agricultural GDP, 18.7 percent of its agricultural and forestry exports, and were a significant contributor to domestic consumption and export.

To address those challenges, Gutu mentioned that FAO is developing a framework to prioritize needs and provide immediate support in the four most affected provinces of Hatay, Adiyaman, Kahramanmaras, and Malatya, plus two districts in Gaziantep. In the immediate term, FAO is utilizing its internal emergency resources to provide immediate support to farmers and agri-businesses in the targeted areas. In medium to long term, FAO, in support of government institutions and in partnership with humanitarian partners, donors, financial institutions, and civil societies, will be able to scale up its recovery efforts that could bring hope and resilience to rural communities.

FAO Liaison Office in Geneva

Based in Geneva, a hub of international cooperation and multilateral diplomacy, FAO Liaison Office (LOG) promotes to the Geneva-based partners FAO’s contribution to the 2030 Agenda through its 2022-31 Strategic Framework. Moreover, the Liaison Office monitors and informs the Geneva-based deliberations to strategically position the Organization in line with its mandate and champion key thematic issues. As part of its liaison work, FAO in Geneva cooperates with the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva to communicate and highlight the role of food and agriculture in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Related links

Geneva Press Briefing (21 March 2023): link

Türkiye: Initial assessment on possible impacts of earthquake in 11 provinces: link