Europe 1 with AFP 15:07 p.m., March 20, 2023, modified at 15:10 p.m., March 20, 2023

While Turkey and Syria were hit by a devastating earthquake on February 6, with nearly 57,000 dead, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan estimates that the cost of this damage will reach "some 104 billion dollars". He spoke at an international donors' conference in Brussels.

The cost of the damage caused in Turkey by the devastating earthquake of February 6 will reach "some 104 billion dollars", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan estimated Monday, speaking via video link at an international donors' conference in Brussels. "Whatever its economic status, it is impossible for a country to fight alone against a disaster of this magnitude," said the leader about the earthquake that killed 50,096 people in Turkey, according to the latest assessment of the authorities, and nearly 6,000 in Syria.

For its part, the European Commission has pledged one billion euros in aid for reconstruction in Turkey, the president of the European executive Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday at an international donors' conference in Brussels. In addition, the Commission will provide €108 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria, also affected by the earthquake, von der Leyen added.

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