Turkey to grant $5m in COVID-19 aid to Tunisia despite its own economic woes

Turkey will be granting 5 million dollars in aid to Tunisia to help in their fight against COVID-19, the Turkish government's Official Gazette reported on Dec. 10. Turkey's aid comes at the end of a dire year for Ankara economically, when the Turkish Lira has plummeted to record lows and the country's foreign trade deficit has grown to concerning rates.

Thursday December 10 2020 10:20 am

Istanbul's Galata Bridge, one of the busiest spot in the city, is seen completely deserted ahead of a weeknight curfew against COVID-19 on Dec. 9.

Duvar English

Turkey has decided to give Tunisia a 5 million dollar grant to aid in the country's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Official Gazette reported on Dec. 10.

While the grant for Tunisia will be paid in full at once, Ankara also agreed on grants for Turkish Cyprus, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry also issued a 75 million dollar grant to Afghanistan in Nov., despite the dramatic financial downturn Turkey has experienced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Turkish Lira has plummeted to record lows against foreign currencies throughout 2020, prompting investment giant Moody's to downgrade Turkey's credit rating in September.

Meanwhile, Turkey's foreign trade deficit has observed a steady incline over the past year, as imports grew to include everyday goods like crops and grains, and exports shrunk in light of the pandemic that has depressed world markets.