The World Bank estimates that the damage in Syria amounts to nearly 10% of the nation's gross domestic product in a report released on Friday.
The World Bank estimates that the damage in Syria amounts to nearly 10% of the nation's gross domestic product in a report released on Friday.
According to the World Bank on Friday, the enormous earthquake that slammed southeast Turkey and northern regions of the war-torn nation last month caused an estimated USD 5.1 billion in losses.
The UN states that the earthquake claimed the lives of at least 50,000 people, including roughly 6,000 in Syria. In addition, hundreds of thousands were left homeless, and tens of thousands are still missing.
The World Bank estimates that the damage in Syria amounts to nearly 10% of the nation's GDP in a report released on Friday. In Syria's north, Aleppo was the most badly damaged area, with damages totaling around USD 2.3 billion and representing 45% of all injuries in the country.
The rebel-held northwest region, home to over 4.6 million people, many of whom had previously been displaced by Syria's war, was also severely damaged.
Aleppo was followed by Latakia, a government-controlled region on the coast, with damages estimated at USD 549 million, and the northwest province of Idlib, with damages estimated at USD 1.9 billion.
The earthquake has also exacerbated several other issues in Syria. A nearly 12-year civil conflict has claimed almost 500,000 lives and forced out half of the nation's 23 million citizens.
The World Bank issued a warning, noting that there is still considerable uncertainty around its initial evaluation.
According to Jean-Christophe Carret, the Middle East director for the World Bank, the disaster will result in a drop in economic activity that will severely harm Syria's prospects for economic growth.
The report's assessment of damages covers both the residential and non-residential sectors. In addition, it includes information on both direct losses to buildings and other structures and harm to cultural heritage assets, which can be particularly tricky to classify.
The World Bank stated on Monday that a previous assessment put the cost of the quake-related damages in Turkey at USD 34.2 billion.