Damage caused by a devastating earthquake in Turkey will exceed $100 billion, a U.N. Development Programme official told a press briefing on Tuesday ahead of a major donor conference next week.
"It's clear from the calculations being done to date that the damage figure presented by the government and supported by...international partners would be in excess of $100 billion," said the UNDP's Louisa Vinton, by video link from Gaziantep.
More than 52,000 people were killed in Turkey and Syria by the February 6 earthquakes, with many being crushed or buried in their sleep.
The provisional damage figure, which Vinton said covers just Turkey, is being used as a basis for a donor conference to mobilise funds for earthquake victims in Brussels, Belgium on March 16, she added.
The World Bank previously estimated the Turkey damage at around $34.2 billion.
Vinton described the scenes in Turkey's worst-hit Hatay province as "apocalyptic", saying hundreds of thousands of homes have been destroyed. "The needs are vast but the resources are scarce," she added.
At least 73 injured after Houthi rebels attack Saudi civilian and energy facilities
Indonesia reopens Jakarta airport, four others after Anak Krakatau ash clears
Russia hits Kyiv after brief pause for US envoys' visit, killing two
Kenya offers temporary amnesty to undocumented East Africans amid crackdown fears
7 Indonesian airports remain shut due to volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau
Bolivia confirms 9 deaths after military base explosion
Israeli strikes on southern Lebanese town kill 11, state news agency saysÂ
Nepal marks national mourning day after deadly flood
