by Diana Del Olmo Campos
Turkey is being ravaged by one of the most devastating wildfires the country has seen.
The word Mediterranean usually conjures up images of idyllic waters and lush landscapes thriving with wildlife and fauna. But the reality we are seeing across our screens and papers today tells a different story.
Turkey neighbouring Greece and Italy, are presently being ravaged by hundreds of blazes reducing once green forests to ashes. The flames, estimated to have been fuelled by a southern European heatwave fed by hot air from North Africa, have destroyed farms, homes and forests leaving people in need of dire relief assistance.
And nature is suffering too. In Turkey, according to estimates, thousands of farm animals and untold numbers of wild animals have perished in the fires to date that have destroyed an estimated 141,000 hectares (348,000 acres) of forest. Forests that are home to a variety of species: Antalya province alone hosts 11,870 species, of which 1,421 are endemic and 121 are endangered.
“We are devastated by the current fires which are of unprecedented intensity in the recent history of Turkey. At least 140 thousand hectares of forests have been lost in the last 7 days, which is 15 times more than the previous years' average total.
As in Australia, Brazil and other parts of the world in the past years, the spirit of solidarity that we have already received so far gives us strength.
We have just started up an emergency programme for rescue and care of the injured wildlife. There is much to be said and done once the emergency is over, but currently all our efforts are on immediate action. We trust that you will stand with us in this historic mission.”
Aslı Pasinli
CEO, WWF-Turkey
Turkey's forests produce 42 million tons of oxygen per year, hold approximately 90 million tons of carbon, protect our soil and water, host millions of creatures, and are a source of life for approximately 10 million people.
WWF is launching an emergency appeal to support WWF-Turkey’s conservation efforts in these challenging times. With the money raised, our Turkey teams along with local organizations will carry out work including:
- Providing emergency funds to fight ongoing forest fires and care for wildlife
- Build rescue, care and rehabilitation capacity
- Supporting response, recovery and restoration teams in any other way we can
As the fires continue to spread, so is their impact on people and on nature. At least 144 spots in more than 30 provinces have been affected by the wildfires in the last seven days. To support WWF-Turkey and our response, click here.
