Berlin, 13 July 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Five months after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey, a conference on reconstruction will take place in Berlin on Thursday.

It is being organized by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and Turkish partner organizations.

The extent of the destruction is immense and reconstruction will take many years, the association said, adding that Turkey is relying on support from German companies.

Video messages from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are also planned for the conference.

The DIHK also plans to promote the resumption or commencement of joint business activities and to create local employment opportunities.

In early February, several devastating earthquakes hit south-eastern Turkey and parts of Syria. The quakes left tens of thousands of people dead, millions without homes, and hospitals and infrastructure in need of rebuilding.

Photo: MIA archive