Totschnig visited the province of Adiyaman, which borders on the epicenter of the earthquake – 6 million euros from the special pot for international food aid
Vienna (OTS) – During his working trip to Turkey, Minister of Agriculture Norbert Totschnig announced that he would make 6 million euros available from the special pot for international food aid for the World Food Program’s emergency aid fund. This will be used to provide food rations, food packages for families and hot meals for the earthquake victims.
“It is indescribable what suffering the people in the earthquake region have to go through. Over 9 million people – as many as live in Austria – are affected by the consequences of this devastating earthquake. The World Food Program is now supplying these people with food that is essential for their survival. Therefore, my department will provide 6 million euros from the special pot for international food aid for the WFP emergency fund,” said Totschnig. With the help of the World Food Program in Turkey, around 1 million people are receiving. Around 900,000 are provided with hot meals every day and around 100,000 people, especially families, are supported with food packages.
Totschnig visited World Food Program aid projects in the earthquake region, such as a soup kitchen where hot meals are cooked around the clock, container accommodation and a children’s project. The earthquake claimed at least 53,000 lives and injured 132,000 in Turkey and Syria.
During the course of the work trip in Turkey, Totschnig met his counterpart Vahit Kirişci in Ankara. “In addition to the lost lives and the destroyed buildings, there are also the effects on agriculture and thus on the security of supply in Turkey. Of course, Austria supports Turkey in the reconstruction and repair of the factories. I reached an agreement with the Turkish Minister of Agriculture on site to intensify exchanges in the areas of agriculture, forestry and water management,” the Minister of Agriculture added.
Questions & contact:
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Regions and Water Management
+43 1 71100 DW 606747
presse@bml.gv.at