Turkey (Türkiye)

The Syrian regional crisis represents one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Since the conflict began in 2011, an estimated 7.1 million refugees have left the country and sought shelter primarily in the neighbouring Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt. This figure includes 5.6 million registered Syrian refugees across the region and 48,000 Palestinian refugees from Syria residing mainly in Jordan and Lebanon. ?

95% of the refugees live in urban and peri-urban settings, while the remaining 5% reside in camps. Many refugees have lost their livelihoods and income sources because of COVID-19 and associated movement restrictions and lockdowns. These populations are at risk of experiencing increased poverty and food insecurity ?.

Refugees often face challenges in accessing civil documents because of complex bureaucratic procedures, lack of awareness concerning the requirements and processes, limited access to legal support, and inconsistencies in the application of laws and procedures ?. Lack of civil documentation prevents them from accessing basic services and humanitarian assistance.

While the majority of Syrian refugees hope to eventually return to Syria, few are planning to do so in the near future. The key factors stopping them from returning are a lack of livelihood opportunities, safety, and security, as well as inadequate housing in their areas of origin ?.