Flood-hit region to be declared ‘disaster area’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that the places hit by floods in Rize, Artvin and Düzce will be declared a "Disaster Area with an Effect on General Life" by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

According to President Erdoğan's social media message, the following places will be declared a Disaster Area:

"Esmahanım, Uğurlu and neighboring villages in Akçakoca; Rize's Güneysu; Büyükköy and Madenli towns and their villages in Rize's Çayeli; Muradiye and Salarha towns and neighboring villages in central Rize; Ardeşen district Tunae town and neighboring villages; the villages affected by the flood in Fındıklı, Kalkandere and Pazar; Arhavi and Murgul in Artvin."

The ones living in the region declared a Disaster Area will be able to benefit from the following support and arrangements:

"Tax postponing; delay of shopkeepers' payment of Social Security Institution (SGK) premiums; financial aid to pay for the damage to property; delay of credit back payments of shopkeepers; support to pay for the damages to workplaces and vehicles; an immediate support package."

32 people died, 9 missing in 3 years

As a result of the floods and landslides that hit the East Black Sea region of Turkey in the last three years, 32 people have lost their lives and nine people have gone missing. Agricultural fields have also been severely damaged in these incidents. (KÖ/SD)