Türkiye – WFP/IFRC/TRC: Minimum Expenditure Basket After the Earthquake Disaster in Türkiye – November 2023 – Türkiye

Following the two massive earthquakes that struck southeastern Türkiye on February 2023, UN WFP, Türk Kızılay (Turkish Red Crescent) and IFRC jointly studied a Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) methodology and analysis to contribute to emergency response programs to quantify and inform basic needs. Several months after the earthquake, rapid response operations are still underway in the most affected areas.

According to the pre-earthquake population figures and the field observations, an average earthquake-affected household is composed of 5 people – 2 children and 3 adults. The food component of the MEB consists of a nutritionally balanced diet and the costs related to health, shelter, education, transportation, and communication expenditure are calculated based on the Sphere standards. The monthly Consumption Price Index (CPI) data from the Turkish Statistical Institute is used for calculation.

The cost of MEB increased by 4 percent between October and November, reaching 2.262 TRY per person and 11.310 TRY for a 5-person household. The cost contributions to the MEB were mainly food and rent. 4 percent increase in food and a 6 percent increase in rental expenses drive the increase in MEB. Inflation rate has maintained its annual upward trend and is 61.98 percent, and monthly inflation is 3.43 percent.