The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a sovereign loan of up to €95 million to rehabilitate and modernize water supply, wastewater, and stormwater systems in Malatya, Türkiye. The investment aims to restore essential municipal services severely damaged during the February 2023 earthquakes while strengthening the city’s long-term resilience.
The financing will be implemented through Iller Bankasi A.S. for the benefit of the Malatya Water and Sewage Administration (MASKI). It will support the reconstruction and upgrading of critical infrastructure, including approximately 467 kilometers of water supply networks, 118 kilometers of wastewater systems, and 9 kilometers of stormwater drainage infrastructure.
The 2023 earthquakes caused extensive damage to Malatya’s water and wastewater systems, resulting in water losses, network leakages, and disruptions to wastewater treatment operations. These failures had significant environmental and public health consequences, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure rehabilitation.
The project is designed not only to restore damaged systems but also to improve efficiency and resilience against future shocks. Upgraded infrastructure will enhance access to reliable water services, improve wastewater treatment standards, and reduce the risk of urban flooding.
EBRD officials emphasized that rebuilding essential municipal infrastructure is a key priority in earthquake-affected regions of Türkiye. The investment is expected to contribute to sustainable urban development by reducing water losses, improving service reliability, and strengthening disaster preparedness.
In addition to physical infrastructure upgrades, the project includes a capacity-building component to enhance disaster preparedness, operational efficiency, and risk management among local stakeholders. This is intended to ensure that municipal services remain resilient in the face of future emergencies.
The Malatya project represents the EBRD’s fifth investment under its sovereign earthquake response package, bringing total support for water infrastructure recovery in affected regions to more than €440 million. Since 2009, the EBRD has invested approximately €24.4 billion in Türkiye, primarily in private sector development and infrastructure modernization.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s continued commitment to supporting recovery efforts while promoting long-term resilience and sustainable development in disaster-affected communities.
