Turkey (Türkiye)

Since 2011, Türkiye has been one of the main host countries for refugees fleeing violence and insecurity in Syria. Over 3,700,000 registered Syrian refugees are present in Türkiye, including around 51,000 living in seven camps, primarily located in the southeastern regions of the country. The rest live in host communities, mainly in Istanbul, Gaziantep, Hatay, and Sanliurefa cities. Syrians living in Türkiye have been granted temporary protection status by the government.? Registered refugees have access to basic services such as healthcare, education, social services, and employment, but it not easy for them to find a formal job, which leads them to move to other areas in search of employment.? Humanitarian organisations are responding through cash-based interventions, shelter, food assistance, and NFIs. ? 

COVID-19 containment measures such as transitioning to remote learning are likely to affect people with limited access to digital platforms. Only 33% of Syrian children enrolled in school always have access to online education systems. Learning is shifting between remote and in-person based on the pandemic status. ? 

The June 2021 Inter-Agency Protection Sector Needs Assessment for refugees and asylum seekers found that 69% of respondents are struggling to meet food costs, 65% are struggling to meet rent or housing costs, and 39% are struggling to meet utilities costs. Syrian refugees are coping by reducing food expenses or borrowing money from friends or family. ? 

In recent years, the number of Syrian arrivals in Türkiye has remained relatively stable, largely as a result of a deal struck between the government and the European Union in 2016, which made it more difficult for refugees to travel west from Turkey to Europe, as well as the periodic closures of Türkiye's border with Syria. ?