World Bank and USAID to provide Turkey with aid and financing

The World Bank has said that it is providing Turkey with $1.78bn in relief and recovery financing assistance as the country struggles with the aftermath of the quakes.

In a statement, it said that $780m will become available for the country immediately as the funds will be diverted from two existing World Bank loan projects in Turkey.

An additional $1bn in assistance is also being prepared but will take more time to arrange, according to a World Bank spokesperson.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also announced it would provide $85m in urgent humanitarian assistance to both Turkey and Syria.

"USAID is providing emergency food and shelter for refugees and newly displaced people, winter supplies to help families brave the cold, critical health care services to provide trauma support, safe drinking water to prevent disease, and hygiene and sanitation assistance to keep people safe and healthy," the agency said in a statement.