World Bank approves $650M loan to boost Istanbul’s disaster resilience

The World Bank has approved a $650 million loan to support the Istanbul Resilience Project, a major initiative aimed at strengthening the city’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities amid increasing disaster and climate risks.

Istanbul, Türkiye’s largest city with over 15 million residents and generating nearly one-third of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), faces significant vulnerability to earthquakes and climate shocks. The project seeks to protect lives, livelihoods, and economic activity by ensuring that critical public services continue functioning during and after emergencies.

“This project is vital to safeguard Istanbul’s people and economy. By strengthening emergency preparedness, modernizing public infrastructure, and supporting community resilience, Türkiye is building a safer future for one of its most strategic provinces,” said Humberto Lopez, World Bank Country Director for Türkiye. “It will protect lives and jobs while enhancing disaster response capacities and ensuring the continuity of critical public services.”

The Istanbul Resilience Project will finance the construction of crucial emergency response infrastructure including 250 paramedic stations, two search and rescue centers, 19 fire stations, and wildfire detection towers. It will also enhance emergency logistics and search and rescue capacity through the provision of equipment, training, and community-level preparedness activities.

In addition, approximately 50 critical public buildings such as schools, dormitories, elderly care facilities, and community centers will be constructed to meet high seismic and climate resilience standards. These buildings are designed to serve as safe shelters during disasters and will incorporate green infrastructure features including on-site solar power generation, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient systems, ensuring self-sufficiency.

The project also supports Istanbul’s provincial authorities and the Istanbul Project Coordination Unit (IPCU) with technical studies, institutional capacity building, and planning for longer-term investment needs. Technical assistance on seismic resilience standards and international best practices will be provided to the IPCU with support from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.

A dedicated contingent emergency response component will enable the rapid reallocation of project funds in the event of a future emergency to support urgent recovery and reconstruction needs.

“The Project is a comprehensive effort to strengthen both the physical infrastructure and the emergency response systems of Istanbul,” added Salih Bugra Erdurmus, World Bank Task Team Leader of the project. “Our aim is to ensure that critical public services remain operational during disasters and that emergency teams are better equipped to respond rapidly and effectively. To this end, we are also promoting the self-sufficiency of critical public buildings so they can function as resilient safety hubs that support communities in the immediate aftermath of disasters.”

The project aligns with Türkiye’s national priorities outlined in the 12th National Development Plan, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which prioritize disaster risk reduction, urban resilience, and green infrastructure development. It also supports Istanbul’s Provincial Risk Reduction Plan (IRAP).

With Istanbul’s aging public building stock and emergency response capacity under strain, this investment will help ensure faster and more effective disaster response while strengthening infrastructure against seismic and climate hazards. Ultimately, the project aims to protect millions of people and ensure the continuity of vital services across Istanbul Province.

The World Bank remains committed to supporting Türkiye in building disaster resilience for its cities and communities, helping protect lives and secure sustainable economic growth.