Diyarbakır, Mardin declared 'disaster areas' after fires killed 15 people
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) declared the neighborhoods affected by the fires in eastern Diyarbakır and Mardin provinces, where 15 people died on June 20, as "disaster areas affecting general life." In response, 55 million liras were allocated to cover the damages in the region, while provincial directorates of agriculture initially determined that the fires caused 700 million liras in damage.
Duvar English
The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) on July 8 announced that the rural neighborhoods affected by the fires that broke out in eastern Diyarbakır and Mardin province on 20 June have been declared as "disaster areas affecting general life."
Fires caused by neglected power lines resulted in the deaths of 15 people. Hundreds of animals were also killed in the fires, and agricultural lands suffered significant damage.
AFAD stated that to meet the urgent needs of the relatives of those who lost their lives and the families affected by the fire, a total of 5 million liras emergency aid allowance of three million Turkish liras was sent to Diyarbakır province and two million liras to Mardin province.
Additionally, the Presidency and AFAD allocated a total of 55 million liras ($1.68M) to the region, including an extra 50 million liras, to cover the damages to agriculture and livestock.
Diyarbakır Co-Mayor Serra Bucak stated that they welcome their call for the implementation of their call from the first day, and added, “We will continue the psycho-social and logistical work we have been doing since the day of the disaster, as well as the elimination of financial damages, as long as the municipal budget and legislation allow.”
According to an initial investigation by the Diyarbakır and Mardin 7,900 decares of agricultural land in Diyarbakır’s Çınar district was burned, of which 6,789 decares were stubble and 1,111 decares were unharvested wheat cultivated lands.
The fatal fire disaster in the country’s southeastern Diyarbakır and Mardin provinces caused 700 million liras in damage according to an initial investigation.