EU to host donor conference for Türkiye-Syria earthquake victims on March 20

The European Commission is organising an international donor conference in Brussels on 20 March for the victims of the massive earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, the European Commission announced on Friday.

"I invite all nations and all donors, public and private, to contribute and honour the memory of the lives lost, the heroism of the first responders and most importantly to build together a better future for the survivors,” President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated in a press release.

Von der Leyen is hosting the event together with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. Member states, neighbouring countries, G20 members, the United Nations, international financial institutions and humanitarian organisations will all be welcome in Brussels. Russia, however, has not received an invitation.

Over 50,000 people died and millions were left homeless in the earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria in early February.

^{Lawyers collect evidence from collapsed and damaged buildings in Hatay, Turkey, on 7 March 2023 © OZAN KOSE / AFP}