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After two destructive earthquakes in southeastern Türkiye in February 2023, the UN WFP and Türk Kızılay KIZILAYKART (Turkish Red Crescent) collaborated on a study using the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) methodology and analysis. The purpose of this paper was to assess and measure basic needs in order to support emergency response efforts. Relief efforts continue in the most affected regions despite the time that has passed since these catastrophic earthquakes.
The average earthquake-affected household consists of five people, including two children and three adults, based on pre-earthquake population data and field assessments. The food component of the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) covers expenditures related to a nutritionally balanced diet, while expenditures related to health, shelter, education, transportation and communication are calculated according to Sphere standards. The monthly calculations are using Consumption Price Index (CPI) data provided by the TURKSTAT.
In April 2024, the cost of the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) increased by 2.04 percent compared to March 2024, reaching 2,782 TRY per individual and 13,908 TRY for a household of five. Despite the slight downward trend in food prices, the 4.6 percent increase in rent prices pushed MEB cost upward. With this change in food and rent prices, the share of rent becomes the top expenditure item in the basket. In addition, the annual inflation rate continued to rise, reaching 69.8 percent, while the monthly inflation rate was 3.18 percent.