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Türkiye has secured $600 million in financing from the World Bank to support the construction of flood control facilities and strengthen water management systems across the country, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli announced on Tuesday.
The funds will be used under the "Türkiye Flood and Drought Management Project," aimed at reducing the impact of extreme weather events.
Speaking at the project’s launch event in Ankara, attended by World Bank Türkiye Director Humberto Lopez, Yumakli said the financing would allow the government to build flood protection structures nationwide. He noted that creating a more resilient water infrastructure is critical as climate change increasingly affects daily life.
"We must establish a safer and more resilient Türkiye in water management, just as in every other field," he said. He emphasized that water should be seen not only as a resource but also as a strategic asset for future generations.
The Türkiye Flood and Drought Management Project aims not only to mitigate immediate risks but also to prepare the country for future water-related challenges in an era of accelerating climate change, he added.
The minister underlined that global warming, combined with high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, has intensified both floods and wildfires. He noted that areas once considered low risk are now more vulnerable. For instance, the Black Sea provinces of Sinop, Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, and Rize have seen flood risk rise by over 20%, while western provinces such as Bartin, Zonguldak, Kastamonu, Düzce, Bolu, Bilecik, Sakarya, and Bursa have also become prone to forest fires.
He added that this year’s unusual weather patterns came in three waves, forcing greater effort to contain damage and causing heavier losses to biodiversity compared with previous years.
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Yumakli stressed the importance of protecting farmland from climate-related threats and ensuring better use of water resources in agriculture. He said Türkiye, which is considered water-stressed, has invested heavily in water projects over the past two decades.
According to the ministry, nearly ₺3.4 trillion ($82.1 billion) has been allocated to water and irrigation projects over the last 23 years, resulting in the completion of almost 11,000 facilities. During this period, irrigated farmland expanded by 50%, water storage capacity rose by 38%, and the volume of drinking water supplied increased 2.7 times.
The minister also announced that 321 new facilities are planned to be commissioned before the end of this year.
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