THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES © 2021 PUBLICATIONS BY PRESIDENCY’S DIRECTORATE OF COMMUNICATIONS Contact Kızılırmak Mahallesi Mevlana Bulv. No:144 Çukurambar Ankara/TÜRKİYE T +90 312 590 20 00 | webinfo@iletisim.gov.tr Prestij Grafik Rek. ve Mat. San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti. T +90 212 489 40 63, İstanbul Matbaa Sertifika No: 45590 Print Publication Certificate No: 45482 1st edition, İstanbul – 2022 THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 02. TÜRKİYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEES 24 03. THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS 95 04. THERE IS HOPE FOR SYRIANS: SAFE ZONE 123 C O N T E N T S Foreword 09 01. TÜRKİYE’S OUTLOOK ON REFUGEES: HISTORICAL PROCESS 15 THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES “TÜRKİYE HAS BECOME THE COUNTRY HOSTING THE LARGEST NUMBER OF REFUGEES IN THE WORLD.” 8 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES FOREWORD | 9 D ue to its strategic geographical location, Türkiye has faced migration waves for various reasons throughout history. Going back in time, Jewish migration was the first refugee movement into the Ottoman Empire that could be called asylum. Jews in Europe, forced to change their faith, fled the pressure that the kings put on regarding their religion and took refuge in masses in the Ottoman territory. Moreover, the Ottoman Empire provided refuge and protection to so many migrants including Hungarians and Poles following the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1848, more than 4 million Circassians and Tatars fled Crimea, and Russians, Greeks and Armenians following the Bolshevik (October) Revolution in Russia. Thus, Türkiye has many times served as a safe haven for migrants not only from the Middle East or Africa during the Republican era but also from Europe and Russian regions in the pre-Republic era. Türkiye has received intensive migration waves from Europe after the 2nd World War, from Iraq during the 1st and 2nd Gulf Wars, from Yugoslavia and Kosovo, from Iran, South and North Africa at different times, and most recently from Syria, where one of the greatest destruction of the last decade took place before our eyes. F O R E W O R D 10 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES There are currently around 4 million refugees in Türkiye. Of the refugees, 3,6 million are Syrian and the rest come from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Somalia and other countries respectively. Considering the countries of origin of the refugees, it is observed that the motive behind the migration of refugees in Türkiye is not economic, but mainly due to civil war and unstable administrations. The developments which began in Tunisia and Egypt, dubbed the Arab Spring, deeply influenced Syria in early 2011, and led to the largest migration wave in world history after the 2nd World War. According to data from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, almost 6.7 million Syrians had to flee Syria. Türkiye alone has hosted nearly 2/3 of this massive migration and spent 40 billion Dollars on Syrians. This booklet in your hands elaborates on Türkiye’s perspective on refugees from all aspects with a particular focus on Syrian refugees, relevant activities undertaken by Türkiye, and last but not least, Türkiye’s suggestions on refugees as a whole and Syrians in particular. Beginning with details on the migration waves received by Türkiye in the period before and after the proclamation of the Republic, this booklet then presents data and images about Türkiye’s efforts for Syrian refugees in education, health, accommodation, employment, humanitarian aid and other fields from the past to present. All international institutions and actors involved with refugees have visited the temporary shelters in Türkiye, which are much more modern than their counterparts in the world, and their structure and activities have been referred to as exemplary. Besides, 98.65% of the 3,651,428 million Syrians in Türkiye live side by side with Turkish people in cities. You will therefore be able to read about all services and activities carried out for refugees across the country not only in the field of accommodation but also in other fields including education and healthcare services, social life and employment. Considering that the number of school-age refugees is only 1,455,959, you will witness all facets of the immense amount of educational services provided by Türkiye. You will also read about how the 4 million refugees benefit free of charge from all healthcare services, and how the healthcare FOREWORD | 11 services that many other countries are unable to offer to their own people are being provided to refugees alongside the Turkish people. Likewise, you will have the opportunity to examine the selfless acts linked to employment and all other areas of life one by one. You will also witness the activities conducted to meet the need for schools, hospitals and other daily needs not only within our borders but also in the Syrian territory cleared from terror as a result of the fight against the PKK/YPG and DAESH; and see the peaceful life of hundreds of thousands of Syrians who have returned from Türkiye and other parts of the world to those areas where security has been restored by Türkiye. In this booklet, you will also find the humanitarian aid activities undertaken by Turkish NGOs in the safe zones in question, and their outcomes. In another chapter of this booklet you will discover that Türkiye’s refugee policy is not only limited to refugees within and close to Türkiye’s borders. You will be able to view in detail the services provided by Türkiye, regarding education, healthcare, clean drinking water and humanitarian aid in the refugee crises experienced in different parts of the world, especially Chad, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Libya, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Somalia, Cameroon, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Uganda, Lebanon and Ukraine. For instance, the only camp center where the Ezidis and Turkmen who fled from the threat of terrorism of DAESH in Iraq could take shelter, was established by Türkiye and you will see that 35,000 people, including 24,000 Ezidis, continue to live in these camps. In the “Other Countries’ Approach to the Refugee Crisis” chapter of the booklet, you will unfortunately witness the difficulties, maltreatment, mismanaged refugee camps and discourse that borders on racism and even xenophobia faced by the 89.3 million displaced people in the world, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) data, outside of Türkiye, particularly in developed countries. You will face the facts that developed countries take in only a small part of the refugees; that there are only 2.6 million refugees living in continental Europe; that Türkiye alone hosts nearly twice this number of refugees, and thus it is the only country in the world 12 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES who takes in the most number of refugees. Yet again in this chapter you will be able to read the rhetoric of leaders and international institutions/organizations against Türkiye’s refugee policy and the heavy responsibility Türkiye shoulders. In the last chapter of the booklet, you will see in detail the project to establish a safe zone in northern Syria that will facilitate a solution to the Syrian refugee crisis for everyone in the world and provide a permanent solution to the problem that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has voiced not only at the United Nations General Assembly, but also at various international meetings. While looking at the pictures of this project, which plans to establish 140 villages with 5,000 inhabitants and 10 districts with 30,000 inhabitants, with a total of 1 million Syrians living in a modern way, along with projects for schools, universities, hospitals, infrastructure works, employment and other institutions, you will also feel the hope cherished by Syrians. Certainly, we must seek the path together for all these efforts, services, struggles and self-sacrifice to become sustainable, and for the refugees to voluntarily return to their countries in a prosperous and safe way. Türkiye is doing its utmost in this regard and does not hesitate to speak of Türkiye’s cooperation with all countries and international institutions at every opportunity. Despite the fact that this issue should be the common issue of all humanity and not just Türkiye, many states in the world are not inclined to cooperate for the elimination of the refugee problem and do not wish to bear any costs. This approach is reflected in the statistics of refugees, the discourse of state leaders and the practices of governments. While other states appreciate Türkiye’s efforts towards the refugees around the world, unfortunately it is not possible to say that they fulfil their responsibilities to the refugees. In this booklet, we would have liked to discuss not only the work carried out by Türkiye single-handedly, but also those that were carried out in cooperation and collaboration with every country in the world. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement, “Many of our Western neighbors chose to hide behind high walls and seek peace behind barbed wire fences. Unfortunately, neither the screams of the mothers or fathers hugging their children’s tiny lifeless bodies, nor the torture images from the prisons, or the tears of the innocent children were FOREWORD | 13 enough for people to take action” is the clearest expression of the cry against this situation. Refugees are not just a problem that Türkiye faces alone, but it is all of ours, it’s the common problem of humanity, and it is a test that we must surpass properly. Will our children and the future remember us with our conscientious struggle against this massive humanitarian tragedy, or with our insensitive, unresponsive and unjust policies? We need to make this decision before we enter the dusty pages of history. This is not a decision that Türkiye should give on its own. Responsibility belongs to all of us. For Syrians and all refugees in the world, we have to create a new hope, a new perspective, a new paradigm together. COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, TURKISH PRESIDENCY FAHRETTIN ALTUN PHD 14 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES TÜRKİYE’S OUTLOOK ON REFUGEES: HISTORICAL PROCESS 1 2 3 4 TÜRKİYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEES THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS THERE IS HOPE FOR SYRIANS: SAFE ZONE TÜRKIYE’S OUTLOOK ON REFUGEES: HISTORICAL PROCES | 15 Türkiye’s Outlook On Refugees: Historical Proces 0 1 16 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES TÜRKIYE’S OUTLOOK ON REFUGEES: HISTORICAL PROCES | 17 1.1. Türkiye’s Outlook on Refugees: Historical Process Türkiye has faced waves of migration for various reasons throughout history due to its geographical and strategic location. The Jewish migration was the first movement of population to the Ot- toman Empire that could be considered an asylum. After being forced to convert their religion in Europe, the Jews fled the oppression of kings and took refuge in the Ottoman territory in masses. In addition, after the collapse of Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1848, Hungarian and Polish people took refuge in the Ottoman Empire. They were followed by over 4 million Circassians and Tatars who fled Crimea as well as Russians, Greeks and Armenians after the Bolshevik (October) Revolution in Rus- sia, and all were protected and safeguarded. Migratory movements that took place in the Ottoman period also con- tinued after the Republic of Türkiye was founded. The Republic of Tür- kiye has become a country of destination for cognate migrations and a safe destination for Muslim people coming from Eastern Europe, a coun- try of transit for some migration movements and a target country due to on-going political instability in its region. Migration to Türkiye during the “Turkish Republic” period can be sum- marized as follows: Between 1922-1938, through the population exchange, 384 thousand migrants from Greece, Between 1923-1945, 800 thousand people from the Balkans, Between 1933 -1945, 800 thousand people from Germany, In 1988, 52 thousand people from Iraq, In 1989, 345 thousand people from Bulgaria, In 1991, due to the First Gulf Crisis and the US Invasion of Iraq, 51 thou- sand people from Iraq, 18 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Between 1992-1997, during the civil war in Former Yugoslavia, 20 thou- sand people, In 1999, due to civil unrest, 17,746 people from Kosovo. migrated to Türkiye. Finally, over 3.6 million Syrians migrated to Türkiye in 2011 due to the civ- il war in Syria. Syrian guests continue to maintain their lives in Türkiye with “temporary protection status”. 1.2. Legal and Institutional Change Following the outbreak of the civil war in Syria in 2011, migration move- ment to Türkiye has been a turning point in Türkiye’s migration policy and its management. Türkiye’s open-door policy for Syrians has led to significant changes in Türkiye’s migration management at legal and in- stitutional levels. During the period from the first years of the Turkish Republic to the out- break of the Syrian civil war, several laws have arranged the entrance, acceptance, naturalization, residency, settlement, working and deporta- tion of foreigners in Türkiye. Settlement Law dated 1934 and numbered 2510, Citizenship Law dated 1928 and numbered 1312, Passport Law dated 1950 and numbered 5682 and Law on Residence and Travels of Aliens in Türkiye dated 1950 and numbered 5683 can be shown as examples of the mentioned laws. “Convention on the Legal Status of Refugees” (Geneva Convention) signed in 1951 to tackle the problem of refugees in Europe after World War II has provided the most important basis for Turkish legislation on asylum pro- cedures in Türkiye. With the Geneva Convention ratified by the Turkish Grand National Assembly in 1961, Türkiye indicated that it would accept only foreigners as refugees, who come from Europe and wish to seek asy- lum in Türkiye, as part of the Convention. Although the 1951 Geneva Convention provided the basis for political asylum procedures, the mass migration of people to Türkiye in need of protection due to conflicts in neighbouring countries in the late 1980s and early 1990s required the adoption of a regulation. In order to determine TÜRKIYE’S OUTLOOK ON REFUGEES: HISTORICAL PROCES | 19 the status of asylum seekers arriving in Türkiye and provide them with protection in accordance with international standards, Türkiye passed the “Regulation on the Procedures and Principles related to Possible Pop- ulation Movements and Aliens Arriving in Türkiye either as Individuals or in Groups Wishing to Seek Asylum either from Türkiye or Requesting Residence Permission in order to Seek Asylum From Another Country” in 1994. This Regulation grants the right to temporary asylum to persons coming from outside Europe. Türkiye’s migration process and migration policy management began to fall under the influence of the EU after the country was granted candi- date status for membership to the European Union (EU) during the 1999 Helsinki Summit. In this context, a process of harmonization with the EU 20 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES migration policy and acquis started in 2001 when the Accession Partner- ship Document was signed with the EU. The “Action Plan on Asylum and Migration” adopted in 2005 is of particular importance in this process. Within the framework of the Action Plan in question, “Migration and Asylum Bureau” was established under the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2008. “The Draft Law on Foreigners and International Protection” was drawn up with a participatory approach under the coordination of the Mi- gration and Asylum Bureau. This draft Law was adopted in the General Assembly of the Parliament on 4 April 2013 and published in the Official Gazette on 11 April 2013. Soon after, the Directorate General of Migration Management was established as an affiliated body of the Ministry of In- terior. With the Presidential Decree No. 85 promulgated in the Official Ga- zette dated 29 October 2021 and numbered 31643, the status of the Gen- eral Directorate was changed to the Presidency. The increase in migration movements towards Türkiye particularly in the recent period has effected the policies of the country and paved the way for steps towards institu- tionalizing migration management. 1.3. Refugees in Türkİye with Statistics There are nearly 4 million refugees in Türkiye. The graph below shows the distribution of refugees in Türkiye according to their nationalities. 143,339 19,888 4,680 8,946 Iraq Iran Ukraine Other Nationalities Key Figures 4 Million (as of 21 July 2022) Syria Afghanistan 145,704 3.6 Million TÜRKIYE’S OUTLOOK ON REFUGEES: HISTORICAL PROCES | 21 *As of 21.07.2022 Majority of the refugees in Türkiye are Syrians under temporary protec- tion. The graph shows the distribution of Syrians under temporary pro- tection by years as of 2011. The graph shows that there was a dramatic increase in the number of Syrians under temporary protection between the years 2013 and 2014; their number rose from almost 225 thousand to over 1.5 billion in this period. 22 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES The ratio of Syrians in Türkiye to Turkish population is 4.13%. Most of them are women and children. Female 1.116 1.593 3.130 5.231 9.895 15.937 23.543 35.170 43.421 57.308 71.934 96.402 118.254 160.344 199.567 117.816 208.066 268.375 248.413 752 1.092 2.301 4.285 8.936 14.717 22.534 34.891 44.291 58.768 84.977 125.236 160.726 224.587 266.579 137.508 221.244 285.450 266.146 0-4 5-9 10-14 15-18 19-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85-89 90+ Male Moreover, a total of 24,480 migrants were caught in Türkiye’s territorial waters in 2022 while trying to cross the borders through illegal means. Similarly, 790 migrants were detected in Türkiye’s territorial waters in 2022. TÜRKIYE’S OUTLOOK ON REFUGEES: HISTORICAL PROCES | 23 NUMBER OF IRREGULAR MIGRANTS DETECTED/HELD *As of 28.07.2022 Türkiye has opened its border gates and has been hosting millions of refugees while also engaging in a major fight against irregular migration. In this context, a total of 156,167 irregular migrants mainly from Afghan- istan, Syria, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, Palestine, Yemen, Uz- bekstan, Morocco and Iraq were held/were detected in Türkiye in 2022 (as of 21.07.2022). 24 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Türkiye’s Approach To Refugee 0 2 TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 25 2.1. Türkiye’s HospItalIty for SyrIans 2.1.1. Displacement of Syrians as a Mass Migratory Movement The wind of change, which began in Tunisia and Egypt, called “The Arab Spring,” also influenced Syria in early 2011. Demonstrations that initially started in Daraa on 16 March 2011 spread across the country and Syria found itself in a civil war as a result of incidents that went out of control. The migration wave created by Syrians that were forced to flee the war in Syria and take refuge in other countries; is the largest mi- gration wave in world history after the Second World War. On its 11th anniversary, the wave of migration and the ensuing humanitarian crisis remains unresolved. As a result of this crisis, Türkiye has become the country hosting the largest number of “refugees” in the world since 2015, as the immigrants continuously increased following the first group of 252 Syrians that ar- rived in Türkiye on 29 April 2011. Türkiye declared that it would follow an “Open Door Policy” when (coming up against) or (facing) the migrant influx triggered by the Syrian civil war. In addition, Syrians in Türkiye were taken under the “Temporary Protection Regime” and the “Non-Re- foulement Principle” was adopted. Türkiye alone is currently hosting nearly two-thirds of the almost 6.7 million Syrians who had to flee Syria (according to data from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees dated 31.12.2021). Accord- ing to data from the Presidency of Migration Management, the number of Syrians under “temporary protection” in Türkiye is 3,651,428 as of 21.07.2022. Besides this number, there are also Syrians who have been “pre-registered” in Türkiye but have not yet been taken under “tempo- rary protection”. 26 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES The number of Syrians under temporary protection corresponds to 4.4% of the total population of Türkiye, which is nearly 83.5 million. In oth- er words, the number of Syrians under temporary protection is greater than the population of many countries including Armenia, Qatar, Bah- rain, Mongolia, Djibouti, Slovenia, Macedonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Esto- nia, Luxemburg, Malta and Iceland. Since 29 April 2011, Türkiye has spent 40 billion Dollars on Syrians. The presence of millions of Syrians within its borders has effected Türkiye from the social, economic, political and security perspectives. Our coun- try has made extraordinary sacrifices for the healthy management of this process. The burden of the largest humanitarian crisis in the history of the world since the Second World War is too much for Türkiye to tackle alone, and the responsibility in fact lies on the shoulders of the international com- munity as a whole. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 27 More importantly, the support of the entire international community is crucial to our efforts to restore peace in Syria and to ensure the return of Syrians back to their homes; as well as its support in our fight against terrorism provoked by this crisis. 2.1.2. Türkiye’s Hospitality for Syrians The conflict environment prevailing in Syria, with which Türkiye has a 911-km land border, has claimed the lives of so many innocent civil- ians and urged millions of Syrians to migrate from their land to other regions within the country or other countries, including Türkiye. As a result of this situation, Türkiye has been exposed to various challenges. Our country considers it a humanitarian duty to welcome everyone tak- ing refuge in its territory in fear of their lives. Türkiye has been using all available means to help those in need who are affected by the tragedy on Syrian territory. Türkiye is making strenuous efforts to resolve the Syrians’ sheltering, education, health and other problems. 28 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.2.1. Activities Undertaken by Türkiye for Syrians 2.1.2.1.1. Sheltering Türkiye has followed an Open Door Policy for Syrians arriving at its border gates and has acted in accordance with the Principle of Non-Re- foulement, unless with one’s own consent. As the Syrians arrived at the border gates in masses, they were initially granted “temporary protec- tion” and they were taken under protection in tent cities, container cities and elsewhere in the country. Modern shelters created by Türkiye for Syrians provide all physical and social facilities. In these shelters Syrians receive free cleaning, securi- ty, infrastructure, in-kind aid, technical services, fire service, laundry, health, psycho-social support, vocational courses, social and religious services, and translation services in these shelters. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 29 2.1.2.1.1.1. Number of Syrians Living in Temporary Shelters There are currently 86 thousand 814 foreigners in 7 temporary shelters in 5 provinces. 48 thousand 958 of them are Syrians. In addition, AFAD Card and the Red Crescent Card help to cover the expenses of foreign- ers in temporary shelters. According to the data, only 1.35% of Syrians in Türkiye live in shelters. While the number of Syrians registered in shelters was 143 thousand 558 at the beginning of 2019, this number decreased by 81 thousand 777 to 61 thousand 781 as of 27 November 2019. According to data, only 1.67% of the Syrians in Türkiye are living in shelters. *As of 21.07.2022 30 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.2.1.1.2. Number of Syrians Living in Cities The number of Syrians living in cities is 3 million 651 thousand 428 as of 21 July 2022. 98.65% of the Syrians in Türkiye are living in cities. Min- istry of Interior’s Presidency of Migration Management makes the plan- ning to determine which cities Syrians will live in. THOSE ACCOMMODATING IN AND OUTSIDE TEMPORARY SHELTERS THOSE ACCOMMODATING IN TEMPORARY SHELTERS 48.958 THOSE ACCOMMODATING OUTSIDE TEMPORARY SHELTERS TOTAL 3.651.428 3.602.470 DISTRIBUTION OF SYRIANS UNDER TEMPORARY PROTECTION BY TOP 10 PROVINCES İSTANBUL 548.108 184.807 150.113 100.285 257.449 243.861 369.699 464.541 384.606 BURSA İZMİR ANKARA 123.738 KONYA ADANA GAZİANTEP HATAY ŞANLIURFA MERSİN Max Min TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 31 2.1.2.1.2. Education Since the beginning of the mass migration movement, Türkiye has been carrying out activities to provide education to Syrian children. Türkiye has, in this sense, determined the level of education and equivalence of school-age children under temporary protection in Türkiye, and rapidly ensured that they began attending school. In addition, temporary educa- tion centers were set up to increase access to schools for foreign students. In order to teach Turkish to Syrian students and promote their adapta- tion; as of 2016-2017 academic year, preschool students, first, fifth and ninth graders were directed to public schools. Moreover, in the 2016-2017 academic year, Turkish lessons in the curriculum of temporary shelters were increased to 15 hours per week and these shelters were planned to act as hubs for transition to the Turkish education system. 32 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.2.1.2.1. Number of Foreign Students Provided with Access to Education According to June 2022 data of the Presidency of Migration Manage- ment, there are 1,455,959 foreign students at school age. As of June 2022, 892,122 (61.27%) of them have been provided with access to education. 693,738 of these students are Syrians. Moreover, 700,229 (48.09%) of these students are girls while 755,730 (51.01%) are boys. DISTRIBUTION OF FOREIGN STUDENTS 700.000 693.738 65.292 SYRIA IRAQ AFGHANISTAN IRAN AZERBAIJAN EGYPT RUSSIAN FEDERATION JORDAN UZBEKSTAN CHINA 34.936 9.381 7.207 5.132 4.885 3.359 3.087 3.045 600.000 500.000 400.000 300.000 200.000 100.000 0 TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 33 2.1.2.1.2.2. Number of Syrian Students under Temporary Protection Provided with Access to Education While the number of Syrian population at school age was 1,455,959 ac- cording to June 2022 data of the Presidency of Migration Management, the number of school age Syrian population provided with education was 693,738 (58.95%). Moreover, students’ enrolment to schools contin- ues. Under the policy of integrating the Syrians living in Türkiye to the Turk- ish education system, a decision was taken to accept Syrian children to public schools as of the 2016-2017 academic year. Accordingly, 644,672 (99%) students under temporary protection are receiving education in accordance with the Turkish curriculum in public schools. Moreover, 5,864 (1%) students are attending education in the outdoor schools. As per a decision taken in the 2016-2017 academic year, the opening of new temporary education centres has been halted, and the process of their closure has started. According to September 2017 data, the number of temporary education centers, which was 370, decreased to 23 in 2019 and was completely closed as of June 2020. Currently, all foreign stu- dents in our country are enrolled in formal education. When we analyze the rate of Syrian students receiving education in Tür- kiye by gender, it is seen that the numbers of girls and boys are quite balanced. When the total number of students is analyzed by age, the rate of girls is 49.13% (438,326)whereas the schooling rate of boys is 50.87% (453.796). 34 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Number of Schooled Foreign Students by Stages in the 2021 – 2022 Academic Year GRADE Number of Students Enrolled n E-School Number of students registered to YOBIS Total By stages of education Total School- Age Total School- Age Population by Stages Percentage Pre-School (age 5) 49.414 9 49.423 49.423 129.113 129.113 %38,28 1st Grade (age 6) 113.780 63 113.843 359.700 127.879 463.766 %77,56 2nd Grade (age 7) 73.522 72 73.594 122.993 3rd Grade (age 8) 80.792 61 80.853 103.581 4th Grade (age 9) 91.352 58 91.410 109.313 5th Grade (age 10) 89.158 40 89.198 305.342 107.454 381.275 %80,08 6th Grade (age 11) 76.251 45 76.296 101.910 7th Grade (age 12) 83.397 37 83.434 86.841 8th Grade (age 13) 56.391 23 56.414 85.070 9th Grade (age 14) 28.955 25 28.980 83.794 77.256 291.712 %33,98 10th Grade (age 15) 23.689 17 23.706 72.114 11th Grade (age 16) 19.850 8 19.858 71.276 12th Grade (age 17) 11.239 11 11.250 71.066 Prep for High Scho- ol 24 0 24 24 HEP (A, B, C and D) 0 7.476 7.476 7.476 Distance education schools 0 0 7.831 7.831 Total num- ber of students 797.814 7.945 813.590 813.590 1.265.866 1.265.866 %64,27 TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 35 2.1.2.1.2.3. PICTES Project The implementation of the “Project on Promoting Integration of Syr- ian Children into the Turkish Education System (PICTES-I)” funded through direct grant as part of the EU Facility for Refugees in Türkiye (FRIT) began on 3 October 2016 with a contract signed between the Min- istry of National Education and the EU Commission. PICTES-I Project involved 23 provinces. The main activities of PICTES-I Project are Turkish Language Education, Arabic Language Education, Catch-Up Training, Back-Up Training, Transportation Service, Statio- nery, Textbook and Clothing Assistance, Awareness Raising Activities, Procurement of Education Materials, Development of Turkish Language Proficiency Examination System, Guidance and Counselling Activities, Provision of Security and Cleaning Staff for Schools and Temporary Ed- ucation Centres (TECs), Provision of Educational Equipment, Training of Trainers, Trainings for Administrative and Other Staff, Monitoring and Evaluation. All indicators identified for all activities in the project inception report were fully achieved and the project was completed on 3 July 2019. 36 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Following PICTES-I Project, European Commission officially published “Commission Implementing Decision” on 24 July 2018. With this doc- ument, PICTES II Project contract was signed on 20 December 2018. In the provinces it is being implemented, PICTES II Project aims to in- crease Syrian children’s access to education, to improve the quality of education provided to Syrian students, to promote the capacity of ed- ucational institutions as well as institutional capacity of their staff, to enhance social integration of Syrian students and their parents. In addition to PICTES-I activities, PICTES II Project has been made more comprehensive with twenty-four activities including pre-school education, vocational and technical education, social cohesion activi- ties and Turkish language education for adults. The table shows the data about the activities implemented so far as part of PICTES I and II projects: “Conditional Education Assistance for Foreigners- CEA” Protocol was signed thanks to a collaboration between the Ministry of National Ed- ucation, Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services, UNICEF and Turkish Red Crescent in order to provide assistance to Syrians in need and to increase the access and attendance of children to schools. In this context, “Conditional Education Assistance” payment has been made every 2 months for students who meet regular school attendance re- quirements from May 2017 to the present. While the total number of beneficiaries was 56,245 in May 2017, it reached 497,620 as of May 2022. In this context, 800,839 children have been the beneficiary of CEA at least once to date. Moreover, Türkiye collaborates with international organizations and foreign states to include school-aged Syrian students in the education system. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 37 Turkish Language Course 1,306,363 students Arabic Language Course 26,279 students Early Childhood Education 62,943 students Catch-Up Training 88,289 students Back-Up Training 147,935 students Transportation to School 310,701 students Stationery 2,813,238 students Education Material 4,569,174 books Equipment 5,108 schools Staff Training 51,753 principals and teachers Psycho-social Support 561,932 students Parent Information Seminars 33,150 parents Smart Board 27,200 pcs House Visit 6,020 families Vocational and Technical Education Scholarship 26,049 students Social Cohesion 52,412 students, 24,036 families Awareness Training 5 short films, 786,622 leaflets, posters Prefabricated Pre-School 300 Prefabricated Special Education Pre-School 50 Container Pre-School 20 38 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.2.1.2.4. Non-Formal Education Activities for Syrians In addition to formal education activities, Ministry of National Educa- tion carries out non-formal education activities, primarily Turkish lan- guage education, for young and grown-up Syrians at Public Education Centers. Syrians attending vocational skill and hobby courses will thus be equipped both to earn income and have a powerful environment in order to overcome the severe traumas they had and ensure their return to normal life. Between 2014 and 2022, 208,422 foreign national attended Vocational and Technical Courses and 1,653,994 trainees attended general cours- es offered at Public Education Centers affiliated to the Ministry of Na- tional Education, making a total of 1,862,416 trainees. General education courses have been organized on foreign languages, literacy, sports, per- sonal development and training, family and consumer sciences, child development and education, music and performance arts, arts and de- sign, safety of life and property, social services and counselling as well as aviation. Vocational courses have been on handicrafts technology, clothing production technology, information technologies, child devel- opment and education, beauty and hair care services, horticulture, elec- tric-electronic technology, plumbing technology and air conditioning, textile technology, metal technology, personal development and train- ing, public relations and organization services, wood technology, patient and elderly services, ceramic and glass technology. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 39 2.1.2.2.5. Teacher Training at Schools Attended by Syrian Students Several events have been organized for teachers at schools where there are a large number of foreign students. Within this framework, “Turkish Language Teaching for Foreigners” and “Intercultural Skills” seminars were held and didactic skills of teachers were reinforced by “Teaching Turkish through Play” seminars. Courses were organized for Training Teachers Who Have Foreign Students in Their Classes. 105,512 teachers were provided with in situ training by trainers who received this training. 2.1.2.2.6. Voluntary Syrian Trainers Program With the closing of temporary education centres, the Ministry of National Education has recruited Voluntary Syrian Trainers to assist with non-ed- ucational tasks (field visits, interpreting, parent communication, etc.) in educational institutions affiliated with the Ministry. Between 2016-2021, a total of 12,037 Voluntary Syrian Trainers supported training at educa- tional institutions affiliated with our Ministry, and the Voluntary Syrian Trainers programme ended as of July 2021. The programme was altered in accordance with the educational needs of Syrian students, and the Syrian Support Personnel initiative was launched. 40 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Syrian Support Personnel Program has been implemented in 23 prov- inces (Adana, Adıyaman, Ankara, Antalya, Batman, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, İstanbul, İzmir, Kahramanmaraş, Kayseri, Kilis, Ko- caeli, Konya, Malatya, Mardin, Mersin, Osmaniye, Sakarya, Şanlıurfa). Through Syrian Support Personnel, the program aims to support the social integration of foreign children and their inclusion in the Turkish education system; specifically, the programme seeks to increase foreign families’ awareness of educational opportunities, support their registra- tion processes through field studies, and facilitate communication with the school administration. 2.1.2.1.3. Healthcare 2.1.2.1.3.1. Services Provided by Healthcare Facilities of the Minis- try of Health and Universities On 29 April 2011, Türkiye started to provide healthcare services in Hatay province for Syrians who took refuge in our country. Healthcare services start at Turkish borders. Accordingly, 112 emergency healthcare teams transport the injured or emergency patients brought to the border to the hospitals and provide them with necessary treatment, People who reach our borders to enter Türkiye go through a general medical check and healthcare services they need are offered, Children under the age of 15 and women between the ages of 15-49, who are in the risk group, are vaccinated. Syrians, who are registered in Türkiye and given a temporary ID num- ber, can benefit from emergency, preventive and primary healthcare ser- vices as well as all therapeutic healthcare services in their provinces of residence within the scope of Healthcare Implementation Communiqué (SUT). Those who have not received a temporary ID number are provided with services such as the fight against infectious diseases, immunization and emergency healthcare services within the framework of “Temporary Protection Regulation”. Syrians under temporary protection can apply directly to healthcare fa- cilities operated by the Ministry of Health without seeking for referral thereto. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 41 In addition to temporary shelters, Community Health Centers and Affil- iated Units (Migrant Health Centers, Units for the Fight against Tuber- culosis, etc.), Family Health Centers, Hospitals (public, private, universi- ty) and Temporary Voluntary Healthcare Facilities provide services. 2.1.2.1.3.2. Services Provided at Migrant Health Centers Migrant Health Centers (MHC), affiliated to the district communi- ty health center, are formed in order to provide the Syrians in Türkiye with preventive and primary healthcare services more effectively and efficiently, to overcome the problems caused by language and cultural barriers and to improve access to healthcare services. 42 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES MHCs are comprised of migrant health units (MHU), which have a phy- sician and one allied health personnel that will serve for approximately 4,000 people on average, similar to the practice of family physician in Türkiye. In addition to the healthcare personnel, bilingual (Arabic-Turkish) pa- tient referral staff and support services personnel are also employed at the MHCs. In temporary shelters, the services are available on a 24/7 basis, taking into account the amount of population living in the shelters and the dis- tance to hospitals. Currently, 774 migrant health units opened within 182 migrant health centers in 29 provinces continue their activities. In line with the “Project for the Development of the Healthcare Status of Syrians under Temporary Protection and Services Provided by the Re- public of Türkiye (SIHHAT)”; efforts are being made to support the cur- rently active MHCs, to create new MHCs where needed, and to employ Syrian healthcare workers to provide services in these centers. 2.1.2.1.3.3. Employment of Syrian Healthcare Personnel and Edu- cation Activities Taking into account the lack of human capacity in the provinces where a large number of Syrians live and the language barriers experienced by Syrians in accessing healthcare services, the employment of Syrian healthcare personnel under temporary protection in Türkiye was al- lowed. Thus, temporary shelters and migrant health centers started to employ Syrian healthcare personnel to provide services to Syrians. Syrian healthcare personnel, whose applications are accepted and who pass the interviews, receive 5 (five) days of theoretical and 6 (six) weeks of practical adaptation training. Those who successfully complete the trainings obtain a “Professional Competence Certificate” and can be em- ployed in migrant health centers. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 43 Trainings that include topics such as Turkish Health System, healthcare programs implemented in Türkiye, effective communication techniques, conflict management, intercultural communication, immigration and healthcare legislation are given to the Syrian healthcare personnel. The distribution of the personnel employed within the scope of SIHHAT Project is as follows: BRANCH NUMBER OF STAFF THAT RECEIVED THEORETICAL TRAINING GRAND TOTAL NUMBER OF STAFF THAT RECEIVED PRACTICAL TRAINING GRAND TOTAL 2016 2017 2018 2017 2018 PHYSICIAN 220 876 180 1.276 633 254 887 AHP 122 873 208 1.203 572 427 999 POP 172 290 726 1.188 0 0 0 DISTRIBUTION OF STAFF WORKING AS OF 31.10.2019 Physician Midwife Nurse Patient Referral Personnel Support Personnel Social Worker Psychologist Number 678 954 1.108 400 11 13 Total 3.164 44 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.2.1.3.4. Healthcare Service Data Data on healthcare services provided to the Syrians across 81 provinces in Türkiye are shown in detail in the table below: HEALTHCARE SERVICES DATA FOR 81 PROVINCES 2011-2018 TOTAL SEPTEMBER 2019 OCTOBER 2019 2019 GRAND TOTAL 2011-2019 GRAND TOTAL NUMBER OF OUTPATIENT CLINICS UNITS AFFILIATED TO DGCH 12.874.638 843.193 884.403 7.383.121 20.257.759 UNITS AFFILIATED TO DGPH 35.178.716 835.698 858.225 8.598.500 43.777.216 UNIVERSITY/ PRIVATE HOSPITALS 738.924 53.281 53.930 488.326 1.227.250 TOTAL 48.795.278 1.732.172 1.796.558 16.469.947 65.262.225 NUMBER OF INPATIENTS HOSPITALS AFFILIATED TO DGPH 1.797.282 34.357 34.626 359.969 2.157.251 UNIVERSITY/ PRIVATE HOSPITALS 66.240 5.145 5.098 49.554 115.794 TOTAL 1.863.522 39.502 39.724 409.523 2.273.055 NUMBER OF SURGERIES HOSPITALS AFFILIATED TO DGPH 1.547.283 35.340 35.933 345.018 1.892.301 UNIVERSITY/ PRIVATE HOSPITALS 34.378 2.538 2.550 21.787 56.165 TOTAL 1.581.661 37.878 38.483 366.805 1.948.466 NUMBER OF BIRTHS HOSPITALS AFFILIATED TO DGPH 406.355 8.973 9.018 91.658 498.013 UNIVERSITY/ PRIVATE HOSPITALS 9.227 1.045 1.000 8.638 17.865 TOTAL 415.582 10.018 10.018 100.296 515.878 NUMBER OF WOUNDED PATIENTS RECEIVED FROM BORDER 50.806 466 387 5.218 56.024 TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 45 Within Türkiye’s health care system between 2011-2019, 65 million pa- tient examinations; 2 million surgeries and 2 million 200 thousand in- patient services, worth nearly 5 billion 122 million Turkish Lira, were provided to the Syrians under Temporary Protection. In addition, Syri- ans in Türkiye, just like Turkish citizens, are vaccinated according to the national vaccination calendar. Numbers of vaccine doses applied as of the end of October 2019 are given in the table below: VACCINATION DATA FOR 2019 (OCTOBER 2019) IN THE CAMP OUTSIDE THE CAMP TOTAL BCG 378 6008 6386 DaBT-İPA-Hib 1227 23539 24766 CPV 1050 20703 21753 HBV 788 15709 16497 MMR 345 6490 6835 CHICKENPOX (VARICELLA) 335 5462 5797 HAV 483 7679 8162 TD 363 3533 3896 OCTOBER TOTAL 94.092 2019 TOTAL 1.017.665 2014-2019 GRAND TOTAL 5.945.739 2.1.2.1.3.5. Fight against Infectious Epidemic Diseases and Vacci- nation Activities Syrian children are vaccinated in accordance with the vaccination cal- endar in Türkiye. In addition, complementary and support activities are carried out. In this direction; As a result of 9 rounds of Polio Vaccination applied between 2013-2015, 5,288,639 doses of vaccine; within the scope of Measles control activities conducted between 2013-2015, 2.381.626 doses of vaccine were applied to vulnerable and unvaccinated migrant children. During the campaign conducted in three rounds in February, May and November 2017, approximately 370 thousand Syrian children aged 0-59 months were visited on site; those who were unregistered were regis- 46 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES tered; MMR, pentavalent vaccine and HBV vaccine were applied to those who were unvaccinated or not adequately vaccinated. In shelters, the Ministry of Health also conducts activities related to infectious diseases likely to affect Syrians. In this manner; From 2012 to end of October 2019, a total of 195,078 blood smears from Syrians were evaluated for Malaria and no cases were diagnosed. From 2012 to end of October 2019, a total of 9,820 cases of Oriental Sore were diagnosed among the foreign guests and treatment was provided. Under the efforts conducted against tuberculosis from 2012 to the end of October 2019, a total of 1,291 cases were detected among the Syrian-born and treatment was initiated in the provinces where the camps are located. 2.1.2.1.3.6. Polyclinic for Foreign Nationals In order to provide primary health care services to Syrians under tem- porary protection in the settlements that do not have a migrant health center and foreign nationals (those within the scope of UK, those with Residence Permit, etc.), efforts were undertaken to set up “Polyclinic for Foreign Nationals (PFN)” under the body of Community Health Centers / District Health Directorates in district centers where these people live in- tensively. These centers will be supported by multilingual staff. Initially, at least one PFN was planned to be opened in each province and currently 99 polyclinics are operational in 80 provinces. 2018 TOTAL 2019 TOTAL GRAND TOTAL Number of Applications 65.416 76.014 141.430 Number of Examinations 49.525 57.619 107.144 Number of Vaccinations 44.464 42.744 87.208 Number of Babies Monitored 5.759 6.529 12.288 Number of Children Monitored 1.904 2.667 4.571 Number of the Pregnant Monitored 1.480 1.706 3.186 TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 47 2.1.2.3.5. Services Offered Within the Scope of Emergency Healthcare Services NUMBER OF FOREIGN PATIENTS CARRIED BY EMERGENCY AMBULANCES BETWEEN 2012-2019 Year Number of Syrian Patients Carried Other Patients Carried Total Number of Patients Carried 2012 4 407 411 2013 68 1.684 1.752 2014 26.843 9.344 36.187 2015 109.363 32.819 142.182 2016 130.441 30.642 161.083 2017 127.797 38.461 166.258 2018 112.184 56.198 168.382 Sep.19 98.945 60.644 159.589 Grand Total 605.645 230.199 835.844 Number of Foreign Patients Carried by Emergency Ambulances between 2012-2019 140.000 120.000 180.000 160.000 100.000 80.000 60.000 40.000 20.000 0 2012 411 1.752 36.187 142.182 161.083 166.258 168.382 159.589 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Eyl 19 48 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.2.1.4. Employment A total of 345,349 work permits were granted to foreigners of Syrian nationality from 2016 to 30.06.2022. The table below shows in detail the distribution by province of work permits granted to Syrians: PROVINCES NUMBER OF PERMITS BY PROVINCE İstanbul 153.691 Bursa 39.153 Gaziantep 36.519 Mersin 16.897 Kahramanmaraş 10.939 Hatay 10.720 Konya 9.570 Kocaeli 7.719 İzmir 7.175 Adana 6.718 Other provinces 46.248 Total 345.349 TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 49 Of the work permits granted from 2016 to 30.06.2022 to Syrian foreign nationals, 289,227 were granted to Syrians under temporary protection. The table below shows statistics regarding the permits granted to foreigners under temporary protection. PROVINCES NUMBER OF PERMITS BY PROVINCE İstanbulv 127.302 Bursa 36.442 Gaziantep 25.825 Mersin 11.176 Kahramanmaraş 10.394 Konya 9.071 Kocaeli 7.412 İzmir 6.903 Hatay 6.534 Adana 6.296 Other provinces 41.872 Total 289.227 50 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.3. Services Provided to Syrians Across the Border 2.1.3.1. Services Provided under Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch Türkiye has provided many services to meet basic humanitarian needs and enable the normalization of life in areas cleared of terrorists under Operation Euphrates Shield (OES) and Operation Olive Branch (OOB), and has focused on the revival and reconstruction of the region in ques- tion. Services provided under this scope include education and health- care services as well as humanitarian aid. 2.1.3.1.1. Education Türkiye has quickly taken on educational activities in the OES and OOB zones following the military operations. Türkiye has undertaken the maintenance and repair of 988 schools in the OES zone and met their needs in areas of teacher employment, stationery, cleaning, heating and textbooks. Since 2017, a total of 10,687,732 textbooks have been released and distributed to students. To date, 40,581 students have taken the “Baccalaureate Examination” (high school and secondary education completion test) held in the zones of Operation Euphrates Shield, Operation Olive Branch, and Operation Peace Spring. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 51 NAME OF REGION EUPHRATES SHIELD NAME OF REGION 454 REPAIRED SCHOOLS 682 PRE-SCHOOL 6,811 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 178,384 MIDDLE SCHOOL 31,033 HIGH SCHOOL 10,013 TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTIVE SCHOOLS 226.241 TEACHERS 7,828 ADMINISTRATOR (Principal-Vice Principal) 914 OTHER PERSONNEL 940 TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS 9.682 NAME OF REGION PEACE SPRING REPAIRED SCHOOLS 265 TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTIVE SCHOOLS 475 STUDENTS PRE-SCHOOL 1,832 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 44,517 MIDDLE SCHOOL 4,040 HIGH SCHOOL 1,155 TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS 51,544 TEACHERS 1,878 ADMINISTRATOR (Principal-Vice Principal) 468 OTHER PERSONNEL 171 TOTAL PERSONNEL 2,517 NAME OF REGION OLIVE BRANCH REPAIRED SCHOOLS 269 TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTIVE SCHOOLS 271 STUDENTS PRE-SCHOOL 452 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 58,084 MIDDLE SCHOOL 10,407 HIGH SCHOOL 3,418 TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS 72,361 TEACHERS 2,062 ADMINISTRATOR (Principal-Vice Principal) 393 OTHER PERSONNEL 210 TOTAL PERSONNEL 2,665 52 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.3.1.2. Health The Ministry of Health has successfully provided healthcare services including the construction of humanitarian aid hospitals, public health services and the improvement of healthcare capacity in OES and OOB zones, just as in Türkiye. 2.1.3.1.2.1. Humanitarian Aid Hospitals The Ministry of Health is providing services to Syrians in 6 hospitals with a capacity of 653 beds in Jarabulus, Afrin, Azaz, Al-Ahli, Al-Bab, Cobanbey and Marea within the OES and OOB zone. Moreover, Vatan Hospital in Azaz was opened in January 2020. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 53 Jarabulus Hospital 54 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Afrin Hospital TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 55 Azaz Vatan Hospital Azaz Vatan Hospital Before the Renovation 56 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Al Bab Hospital TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 57 A total of 989 health personnel including 244 Specialists, 41 Physicians, 12 Dentists, 18 pharmacists, 452 Nurses as well as 776 technical and aux- iliary staff, all of whom are Syrian citizens, are employed in the Human- itarian Aid Hospitals that provide services in the region. A total of 2,550 Syrian staff is employed, including 1,765 Syrian staff working in the hospitals and 785 staff working in primary health care centers. 250 Turkish staff (Chief Physicians, Hospital Managers, Chief Nurse, Specialist, Physician, Health Personnel and other Staff) have been as- signed to manage the hospitals and provide training to Syrian staff. Since the beginning of 2018, a total of 1,455 Turkish staff has been as- signed to work in the region. In the humanitarian aid hospitals operated by the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health, more than 1 million examinations have been con- ducted in the first 11 months of 2019. In the OES and OOB zones, a total of 2 million 280 thousand patients have received outpatient services, 18,794 babies have been delivered, 39,647 patients have been successfully operated and almost 100 thou- sand patients have received inpatient treatment so far. 58 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES NAME OF HOSPITAL NUMBER OF BIRTHS TOTAL 2017 2018 2019 11 Months AFRIN - 235 545 780 JARABLUS 2.549 2.830 1.593 6.972 AL-BAB 575 3.707 2.843 7.125 AZAZ AL AHLI - - - - COBANBEY HOSPITAL - 265 2.193 2.458 MAREA HOSPITAL - 203 1.436 1.639 TOTAL 3.124 7.240 8.610 18.974 NAME OF HOSPITAL NUMBER OF OUTPATIENT CLINICS TOTAL 2017 2018 2019 11 Months AFRIN - 62.277 120.350 182.627 JARABLUS 268.518 401.014 367.118 1.036.650 AL-BAB 111.222 184.029 238.745 533.996 COBANBEY HOSPITAL - 20.384 132.638 153.022 MAREA HOSPITAL - 14.392 105.650 120.042 AZAZ AL AHLI HOSPITAL 48.588 130.880 74.701 254.169 TOTAL 428.328 812.976 1.039.202 2.280.506 TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 59 NAME OF HOSPITAL NUMBER OF OPERATIONS TOTAL 2017 2018 2019 11 Months AFRIN - 691 2.677 3.368 JARABLUS 3.542 3.784 3.352 10.678 AL-BAB 2.352 4.925 5.479 12.756 COBANBEY HASTANESİ - 370 3.680 4.050 MAREA HOSPITAL - 212 2.336 2.548 AZAZ AL AHLI HOSPITAL 1.253 2.787 2.207 6.247 TOTAL 7.147 12.769 19.731 39.647 NAME OF HOSPITAL NUMBER OF INPATIENTS TOTAL 2017 Yılı 2018 Yılı 2019 11 Months AFRIN - 1.162 5.379 6.541 JARABLUS 10.711 15.121 14.128 39.960 AL-BAB 3.297 8.618 18.858 30.773 COBANBEY HASTANESİ - 995 7.232 8.227 MAREA HOSPITAL - 854 5.615 6.469 AZAZ AL AHLI HOSPITAL 1.025 3.580 1.910 6.515 TOTAL 15.033 31.042 53.122 98.485 60 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES The gradual decrease in the number of patients referred to Türkiye has been an important outcome of the effective provision of healthcare services in new hospitals as well as those reopened after renovation. In 2019, the number of patients admitted to hospitals increased by 40% while the number of patients referred to Türkiye decreased by 30% in the same period. 2.1.3.1.2.2. Public Healthcare Services As part of public healthcare services, the Ministry of Health is setting up primary healthcare centers, carrying out activities for the management of potable water, sanitation of potable and tap water, and for environmental health, taking measures against infectious diseases, fighting against epidemic diseases and providing waste management and public health trainings. Number of Patients Admitted to Turkish Humanitarian Aid Hospitals in Syria and the Number of Patients Referred to Türkiye Number of Patients Referred to Türkiye;2018; 5.959 Number of Patients Referred to Türkiye;2017; 6.883 Number of Patients Examined in 2017; 428.328 Number of Patients Examined in 2018; 812.976 Estimated Number of Patients Examined in 2019; 1.133.675 Number of Patients Referred to Türkiye;2019 Estimated; 4.179 Number of Patients Referred to Türkiye Number of Patients Examined TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 61 2.1.3.1.2.2.1. Primary Healthcare Centers Established for Humanitarian Aid A study was carried out to initially identify the available healthcare institutions that provide the basic healthcare services needed within the context of humanitarian aid, and 34 primary healthcare centers were identified in the OES and OOB zones. It was observed, however, that many of these 34 primary healthcare centres (29 of them) were destroyed in the course of the domestic turmoil and are unavailable to provide services. Condition of Ihtimlat, Azaz (No. 3), Cobanbey and Dabiq Primary Healthcare Centers when they were taken over by the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health. Priority has been given to the maintenance and repair of 29 primary healthcare centers, and they have started providing services. Current condition of primary healthcare centers taken into service after maintenance and repair by the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health. 62 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Moreover, as a result of cooperation with the Local Councils to set up primary healthcare centers in areas lacking healthcare service institutions, Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health has opened 14 new primary healthcare centers. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 63 New Primary Healthcare Centers Set Up in Afrin and Zogara Camp 64 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES To sum up; Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health has set up a total of 48 primary healthcare centers in order to render primary healthcare services more effectively. Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health has employed a total of 785 Syr- ian staff including 144 physicians, 206 midwives and nurses in the pri- mary healthcare facilities in the OES and OOB zones. Available primary healthcare centers provide a significant amount of healthcare services. In the first 9 months of 2019, a total of 657,233 patients were provided with outpatient clinic services offering 605,273 examinations and 51,960 den- tal examinations. The medicines they needed were provided free of charge to 459,107 of these patients. Statistics for the first 9 months of 2019 (Including September) INFORMATION ON PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND STAFF IN THE OES AND OOB ZONES HATAY SGG KİLİS SGG GAZİANTEP SGG TOTAL Number of Examinations by General Practitioners 327.485 88.117 17.237 19.349 4.843 355.164 76 16 11 21 99 27 57 59 69 55 48.262 35.080 27.989 4.034 4.340 64.892 15 12 14 10 33 8 2 21 35 14 62.711 43.618 6.734 362 280 39.051 11 14 4 2 32 7 0 0 29 32 438.458 166.815 51.960 23.745 9.463 459.107 102 42 29 33 164 42 59 80 133 101 Number of Pregnant Women Monitored Total Number of Babies (0-11 months) Monitored Number of Examinations/Treatment by Dentists Number of Examinations by Specialists Number of Outpatient Drug Administration NUMBER OF ACTIVE STAFF General Practitioners Pharmacists Nurses Dentists Total Number of Specialists Other Health Personel Cleaning Staff/Attendants Security Staff TOTAL NUMBER OF STAFF Patient Registration/Information Processing/ Office Staff Midwives 490 164 131 785 62 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Moreover, as a result of cooperation with the Local Councils to set up primary healthcare centers in areas lacking healthcare service institutions, Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health has opened 14 new primary healthcare centers. 66 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES b. Solid Waste Management and Disposal Works When life has returned to normal in the region, waste management has become more systematic with the proposals by Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health on environmental health services as well as the institutionalization of Local Councils in time. Despite intensive pest control, there is a need for solid waste disposal facilities. Therefore, Medical Waste Disposal Centre has been established in Marea under the coordination of Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health. This center serves for the entire area from Afrin to al-Bab. Medical Waste Disposal Area Established in Marea 2.1.3.1.2.2.3. Waste Water Management, Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Fight against Epidemics Probable diagnosis of waterborne, airborne and direct contact diseases (primarily measles, flu, gastroenteritis, typhoid, hepatitis A, leishmania and malaria) are closely monitored. Surveillance and filiation studies have been conducted. Public health measures have been taken and training has been organized in cooperation with Local Councils. The sewage system has been severely damaged and reclamation has not been done properly in the region. Therefore, efforts are being made to combat epidemic diseases throughout the region. Accordingly, sewages TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 67 that flow in the open and cesspools are routinely limed and communal areas are routinely disinfected. Moreover, pest control is routinely conducted for stream beds, puddles etc. as well as dumpsites by the officers of the Local Council. Over 50 organized camps and around 20 scattered camps in the OES and OOB zones were routinely disinfected twice a month throughout summer. There are Leishmania cases to a high degree in the region. Five separate dispensaries have been established to screen, diagnose, treat and combat this disease in the OES and OOB zones. Since 2017, 5,427 Leishmania cases have been diagnosed and treatment has been completed in 85% of these cases. Forms have been designed in local language to monitor notifiable diseases. Training has been provided to the entire staff, and disease monitoring procedures have been launched. 68 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.3.1.2.2.4. Vaccination Services Since it was found that services of routine vaccination in infancy and childhood are not routinely provided in the OES and OOB zones, all preparations have been made quickly and vaccination service has been provided to Syrians. Moreover, vaccination campaigns have been launched for diseases that occur due to lack of vaccination services for years. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 69 TOTAL VACCINE DOSES GIVEN IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 2019 IN OES AND OOB ZONES IN SYRIA Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Total 15.749 5.616 15.923 12.601 9.644 16.418 13.202 16.331 13.212 10.118 14.495 5.204 14.127 11.534 8.993 14.585 12.021 14.533 12.022 9.444 30.244 10.820 30.050 24.135 18.637 31.003 25.223 30.864 25.234 19.562 1.896 3.353 5.645 6.730 1.921 982 1.955 3.522 5.874 7.317 15.511 8.332 6 1 1.662 2.926 4.974 6.503 1.739 916 1.710 3.067 5.171 7.080 13.574 7.825 7 3 3.558 6.279 10.619 13.233 3.660 1.898 3.665 6.589 11.045 14.397 29.085 16.157 13 4 30.244 10.820 33.608 30.414 29.256 13.233 34.663 27.121 34.529 31.823 30.607 14.397 29.085 16.157 13 4 1.143 2.056 3.440 7.516 56 114 1.192 2.139 3.648 7.807 3.482 7.963 0 2 928 1.975 3.230 6.698 37 105 959 2.034 3.383 6.967 3.020 7.055 0 1 2.071 4.031 6.670 14.214 93 219 2.151 4.173 7.031 14.774 6.502 15.018 0 3 30.244 10.820 35.679 34.445 35.926 27.447 34.756 27.340 36.680 35.996 37.638 29.171 35.587 31.175 13 7 BCG Hep(B) OPV1 OPV2 OPV3 OPV4 IPV1 IPV2 Penta1 Penta2 Penta3 Penta4 MR1/MMR1 MR2/MMR2 Vit(A)1 Vit(A)2 Pregnant Non-pregnant Under 1 Vaccines Under 1 Under 1 Ages 1-2 Ages 1-2 Ages 1-2 Ages 0-2 Older than 2 Older than 2 Older than 2 Grand Total Tetanus Vaccination for Women 125 583 286 1.336 1.357 3.193 2.569 3.040 6.479 5.140 10.816 13.292 Dose 2 Dose 3 Dose 4 Dose 5 Dose 6 2.1.3.1.2.2.5. Follow-up of Pregnant Women and Babies Primary healthcare centers put into service in the region have employed midwifes and nurses in particular and started to identify and monitor pregnant women and babies. The staff working in the field has supplied necessary medicine and put them into use free of charge. Vitamins and minerals have been provided to pregnant women and babies identified. 2.1.3.1.2.3. Patient Transport and Ambulance Wireless Commu- nication System In addition to services provided by primary healthcare centers and hos- pitals, Ambulance Wireless Communication System was established at Cobanbey Hospital so as to ensure that healthcare teams could attend cases more quickly and manage patient referrals. 70 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Currently, the system is operating to serve for the entire area with sys- tem relays at centers in Cobanbey, Azez, Al Bab, Afrin, Gandura and Ja- rabulus, running among 40 ambulances and 12 healthcare units. Coverage Zone and Distribution of Relays for Cobanbey Ambulance Wireless Communication System TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 71 2.1.3.1.2.4. Development of Human Resources for Healthcare Services The competency levels of the healthcare personnel are closely monitored, and those in need of in-service training, as well as the topics to be covered in the training classes, have been identified. In each hospital, training pro- grammes have been initiated. In addition, active hospital and primary healthcare centre personnel routinely receive the required basic and professional practice training as part of their in-service training. 2.1.3.1.3. Humanitarian Aid Activities The following is a summary of the humanitarian aid activities carried out in the OES and OOB zones by NGOs, including the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the Turkish Red Cres- cent, and the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation: In the 287 dispersed and organised camps in the OES and OOB zones, 377,667 individuals are sheltered. Numerous institutions and interna- tional, national, and local NGOs, including AFAD and the Turkish Red Crescent, provide for the needs of refugees residing in camps. Flour is distributed daily to the operation zones in proportion to the population of the distribution areas. Most of the flour is provided by the Turkish Grain Board, and the rest is by international, national, and local NGOs. A total of 355,767,613 kg of flour have been distributed to these regions. Loaves of bread produced at bakeries built at AFAD’s Çobanbey Logis- tics Centre and Afrin Logistics Warehouse with funding from interna- tional NGOs, as well as those contracted by local councils, are distrib- uted daily to refugees and the needy in the camps. A total of 59,867,921 loaves of bread have been distributed in the OOB and OES zones. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed 42,598 tents to the camps where the internally displaced people reside in the Operation Zones. 72 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed a total of 594,551 blankets to the people in need, especially in tent cities. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have delivered a total of 3,305,204 food parcels to those in need. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have delivered a total of 8,600,564 kg of wood and coal, the ma- jority of which was coal, to those in need. In 2022, a total of 178,183 shares of Qurbani meat were distributed to the needy in the operation zones along with Eid-al-Adha meat distribu- tions by international, national, and local NGOs under the coordination of AFAD. Furthermore, Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed a total of 9,657,257 hot meals. Under the coordi- nation of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have delivered a total of 286,514 food packages to the OOB zone. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed 65,318 beds to those in need in the OOB zone. In addition, 21,452 pieces of other shelter materials (carpet-tarpaulin) have been provided by NGOs. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed a total of 199,683 hygiene sets in the OOB zone. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed a total of 75,916 infant formula and 39,712 dia- pers in the OOB zone. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed a total of 2,5888,978 (Türkçe metinde sayı ha- talı yazılmış.) bottles of water (0.5, 1.5, 5 L) in the OOB zone. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 73 Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have delivered a total of 938,003 pcs/boxes/kg of milk, juice, salt, sugar, sunflower oil, and legumes to those in need in the OOB zone. 325,947 items of clothing have been distributed to those in need in the OOB zone by NGOs. A total of 5,138 stoves, cookers, and heaters have been provided to the OOB zone, including 976 from AFAD and 4,162 from NGOs. A total of 51,492 kg of fruits and vegetables, including 4,000 kg from AFAD and 47,492 kg from the NGOs, have been distributed to those in need in the OOB zone. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have delivered a total of 16,380 toys to the children in the OOB zone. A total of 74 wheelchairs and medical overbed tables, including 40 by AFAD and 34 by the NGOs, have been supplied to those in need in the OOB zone. The NGOs have distributed 19,780 stationery sets to school-age chil- dren in the OOB zone. As determined by the Presidency of Religious Affairs, the OOB zone has 186 mosques. Out of the almost 70 damaged buildings, 3 mufti’s offices and 38 mosques have been renovated. 74 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.3.2. Services Offered in the Zone of Operation Peace Spring 2.1.3.2.1. Education Maintenance, repair and fur- nishing works of the schools that started providing edu- cation and other schools in the OPS zone are in progress. The following table shows in detail the data regarding the services provided in the field of education across Türkiye’s borders, including the figures for the OPS zone. 2.1.3.2.2. Healthcare The healthcare personnel that can be primarily employed in the OPS zone has been determined based on the experience in healthcare ser- vices provided after the OES and OOB. For this purpose, 215 positions for Syrian personnel, 40 of which are specialists, have been created for the Ras al-Ayn Hospital and 152 positions for Syrian personnel, 25 of which are specialists, for the Tel Abyad Hospital. NUMBER OF REPAIRED SCHOOLS NUMBER OF ACTIVE SCHOOL TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS NUMBER OF TEACHERS NUMBER OF PRINCIPALS NUMBER OF OTHER PERSONEL TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONEL NURSERY PRIMARY SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOL NUMBER OF STUDENT 868 868 5.064 210.022 26.899 7.878 249.863 7.967 1.165 976 10.104 70 70 60 6.500 500 270 7.330 123 2 45 170 540 540 4913 158.427 19.989 5.742 189071 6.266 828 787 7.881 258 258 91 45.095 6.410 1.866 53.462 1.578 333 142 2.053 BÖLGE TOTAL PEACE SPRING EUPHRATES SHIELD OLIVE BRANCH ZONE TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 75 2.1.3.2.2.1. Establishment of Humanitarian Aid Hospitals Since 26 October 2019, services have been provided with Mobile Health Vehicle in order to meet the healthcare needs of the public in the OPS zone. Subsequently, a part of Tel Abyad Hospital was renovated, and Gy- naecology, Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Emergency Service and Am- bulance services began on 28 October 2019. As of 13 November 2019, Tel Abyad Hospital began providing healthcare services on a 24-hour basis, and 7,538 patients were treated and 2 babies were delivered in November.. Similarly, services have been provided with Mobile Health Vehicle since 1 November 2019 in order to meet the healthcare needs of local people in Ras al- Ayn. Some parts of Ras al-Ayn Hospital were renovated and Emergency Service and Ambu- lance service as well as outpa- tient services at the departments of, internal medicine, paediatrics and gynaecology began. Ras al- Ayn Hospital began working on a 24-hour basis as of December 1st. In November, the hospital provided services for 8,094 pa- tients and 1 baby was delivered. Tel Abyad Hospital Emergency and Outpatient Services Ras al-Ayn Hospital 76 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.1.3.2.2.2. Health Centers Established as part of Public Health Services 10 primary healthcare centers have been located in the OPS zone, and Hammam Turkmen Primary Health Care Centre and Suluk Primary- Health Care Centre have been put into service in Tel Abyad. Opening Ceremony of Hammam Turkmen Primary Health Care Center Suluk Primary Health Care Centre in Tel Abyad Region TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 77 2.1.3.2.3. Humanitarian Aid Activities The following aid materials have been provided to Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn in the OPS zone by AFAD, the Turkish Red Crescent and interna- tional, national, and local NGOs under the coordination of AFAD: Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed a total of 187,661 kg/packages of food. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have delivered a total of 622,187 boxes/kg/L of various basic foodstuffs such as milk, juice, salt, sugar, sunflower oil, and legumes to those in need. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed 261,997 food parcels in total. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have provided 3,843,151 non-food items in total. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have delivered 193,650 bottles/L of water in total. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have provided 48,860 hygiene sets in total. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed 63,873 diapers in total. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed 38,745,453 kg of flour in total. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed 3,454,453 loaves of bread in total. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed 1,152,806 pieces of clothing and pairs of shoes in total. 78 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have distributed 70,153 blankets to those in need in total. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have donated 5,628 beds in total. Under the coordination of AFAD, international, national, and local NGOs have donated 32,559 toys in total. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 79 2.2. Humanitarian Aid Provided By Türkiye To Refugees In Third Countrie Hosting the world’s largest number of refugees, Türkiye gives hope not only to refugees within its borders, but also to asylum seekers worldwi- de. The following are some examples of the humanitarian activities car- ried out by Türkiye for refugees around the world: 80 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.2.1. Republic of Chad On June 20, 2016, 10 thousand food packages were distributed in the camps of Danamadja, Kobitey, Dosseye, Doholo, Gondje and Amboko in the Goré region, during the mass population movements. Due to the humanitarian crisis, within the framework of the “Human- itarian Aid Platform Central African Republic (CAR) Aid Campaign”, on June 11, 2014, approximately 55 tons of humanitarian aid, including drugs, food, blankets and clothes provided by the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) was delivered by Turkish Airlines (THY) car- go plane to N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, under the coordination of AFAD to meet the needs of CAR citizens in Chad. In addition, TIKA has built a water well, with solar-powered pump and a reservoir at the UNHCR healthcare center serving around 26,000 peo- ple, including 20,000 refugees in and around refugee camps in Goré. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 81 2.2.2. Bangladesh The Ministry of Health has established a field hospital in the Kutu- palong District to meet the healthcare needs of Rohingya refugees who had to flee during 2017-2018 from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Twenty-four Ministry of Health staff and 30 local staff operate in the hospital’s eight outpatient clinics. In addition, TIKA has built a steel bridge to facilitate access to the Kutupalong refugee camp. A model neighbourhood has been created with bamboo houses built by AFAD. 1,920 bamboo houses, 100 restrooms and 100 bathrooms have been completed. A central water distribution point has been established with the 10 water wells that were drilled, two of which are deep. During the activities for the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, 1,500 local toys have been distributed to children from Rohingya and Bangladesh. Locally obtained 17,000 food aid packages have been distributed at Turkish Hill where Türkiye Religous Foundation, Turk- ish Red Crescent (Kızılay) and AFAD continue to build houses in the 5th camp region. In addition, due to the fact that 55% of Rohingya refugees are children, special attention has been paid to educational projects, and in this context, 30 schools have been provided for the Rohingya children in cooperation with TIKA and UNICEF. 82 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 83 Turkish Red Crescent conducts extensive activities in Bangladesh. Turkish Red Crescent Bangladesh Humanitarian Aid Operation was launched in the context of combating the humanitarian crisis arising from the conflicts between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine state, Myanmar in May and October 2012, and caused 1,200,000 Rohingya refugees to seek asylum in Bangladesh. Within the scope of humanitarian aid activities conducted in the refu- gee crisis of Rohingya Muslims between Bangladesh and Myanmar, in Bangladesh; Between 2012 and 2017, regular cash donations and food aid were provided. In 2013, Bangladesh Red Crescent Raman Bibi Maternal and Child Health Centre support projects were conducted. In 2016, the restoration work of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Mother and Child Health Centre was carried out. In 2018-2019, within the scope of Turkish Red Crescent’s Kızılay Vil- lage Project, 1 peripheral unit (restroom, bathroom, energy system, deep water well, community center, street lighting, playground, foot- 84 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES ball field, etc.) and 1,118 temporary shelters have been built. Turk- ish Red Crescent Village project was completed in January 2020. In 2018, 7 deep water wells at Camp 13 and 1 deep water well at Camp 16 were drilled other than 9 deep water wells drilled as part of shelter project under Potable Water Supply Project. Financial aid was provided to Islamic Committee of International Crescent for Rohingya Crisis within the same year. A total of 50,000 food parcels, 38,000 hygiene packages, 30,925 blankets, 182 family support kits, 5,000 bottles of water (2 lt), 4,635 umbrellas, 206 tar- paulins and 2,900 raincoats were distributed to Rohingya Mus- lims in Bangladesh. In 2018, financial aid was provided to Bangladesh Red Crescent Maternal and Infant Health Centre for the construction of a new room and procurement of furniture and equipment. In 2019, 3 Healthcare Centre Construction Projects have been com- pleted. Again, food parcels, hygiene kits and non-food humanitar- ian aid supplies have been distributed to Rohingya Muslims in 2019. Financial support and aid have been provided to capacity-build- ing activities due to Rohingya refugee movement in Myanmar. Between the years 2012-2019, 1,500,000 beneficiaries have been reached as part of humanitarian aid activities in Bangladesh. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 85 2.2.3. Libya In 2011, 3,197 tons of humanitarian aid was sent due to the civil unrest in Libya. 575 wounded patients were treated in Türkiye with their atten- dants. 86 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.2.4. Myanmar In 2013, food and non-food supplies were provided for Rohingya Mus- lims. In 2014, we tried to meet the basic needs of Rohingya Muslims as part of food and non-food aid supplies project run by TIKA and “Urgent Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Aid Project for Displaced Persons in Ra- khine Sate” run in cooperation with UNICEF thanks to funds provided by AFAD. In addition, a clinic consisting of four main departments was construct- ed by TIKA in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine region in Myanmar. Minor surgical procedures can be performed and outpatient treatment ser- vices, particularly in the field of maternal and infant health, can be pro- vided at this clinic. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 87 2.2.5. Iraq Türkiye was the only country capable of building camps for displaced persons in Iraq. AFAD built 3 camps with a capacity of 35,000 people for Yazidis and Turkmens fleeing the terrorist organization DAESH. In Sharya, more than 24,000 Yazidis found shelter for themselves and their families thanks to the camp built by Türkiye. 1,200 humanitarian aid trucks brought food, medication, shelters, hygiene materials and cloth- ing for the displaced persons fleeing DAESH in Iraq. 88 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.2.6. Jordan In Jordan, Wihdat Girls’ High School in Amman New Camp affiliated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was renovated by TIKA and equipment support was provided to the school. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 89 2.2.7. Kenya Health screenings were done by TIKA in the second largest refugee camp of Kenya between 8 and15 February 2019 as part of the Improving Quality Access to Healthcare Services Program. This humanitarian aid was jointly provided by 10 organizations under the coordination of TIKA and the UNHCR. Throughout the week, 238 major surgical operations were performed at the departments of general surgery, paediatric surgery, urology and gy- naecology; 1250 screenings/examinations were conducted at the depart- ments of internal diseases, cardiology and gynaecology; 2,500 screen- ings were made at the optical department and a total of 7,000 patients were screened as part of the program. 90 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.2.8. Somalia TIKA provided food aid to 500 families living in refugee camps in So- malia’s capital Mogadishu in 2019 as part of its development assistance program for the holy month of Ramadan. Moreover, TIKA organized the project “Seeing Eyes, Smiling Faces” in the Dadaab Refugee Camp at the Somali border. More than 250 eye sur- geries were conducted under the health project carried out with the col- laboration of TIKA, the UNHCR and Hayrat Foundation. 2.2.9. Cameroon The “Humanitarian Aid Platform Central African Republic Humanitar- ian Aid Campaign” was launched as a result of the humanitarian crisis led by the domestic disturbance in the Central African Republic since March 2014. Under the campaign, 25 tons of humanitarian aid supplies including blankets, crib coverings, general-purpose tents, clothes and water treatment kits provided by the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World were delivered by Turkish Airlines (THY) cargo plane to Cameroon’s capital Yaounde on July 24 under the coordination of AFAD. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 91 2.2.10. Afghanistan In July 2018, Turkish Red Crescent opened a permanent delegation in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital. It currently continues its operations with its own 2 staff and 3 local staff. In addition to the food and non-food aid extended to those in need and effected by the war and conflict environment in the region, “Support af- ter Voluntary Return Project” is being implemented to help refugees. Türkiye’s humanitarian aid activities have reached 50,000 recipients in Afghanistan since 2018. 92 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.2.11. Bosnia and Herzegovina Turkish Red Crescent carries out humanitarian aid activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina primarily to wrap the wounds of 28,000 refugees reg- istered in transit in Bosnia and registered refugees inside the country whose number has already reached 8,500, and to meet the needs of the local population in need of assistance. After Turkish Red Crescent estab- lished a Permanent Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2018, In 2018, 9 trucks of humanitarian aid (327 tents, 10,000 blankets, 1,000 kitchen sets, 2 portable kitchens and 2 portable kitchen equip- ment) were dispatched to Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2019, 5 trucks of humanitarian aid (20 general purpose tents, blan- kets and clothes) were sent from Türkiye to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Permanent Delegation of Turkish Red Crescent in Bosnia and Herze- govina continues to distribute food and non-food humanitarian aid supplies and to carry out social assistance activities for refugees in the country. Türkiye’s humanitarian aid activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have reached 35,000 recipients since 2018. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 93 2.2.12. Philippines TIKA organized a fast-breaking (iftar) dinner for 500 people in Manila, the Philippine capital, and distributed food packages to 600 families dis- placed as a result of conflicts in Muslim-populated Mindanao. 2.2.13. Uganda TIKA provided food aid to a total of 1000 families under its Ramadan program in the Bidi Bidi Refugee Camp in Uganda. Bidi Bidi Refugee Camp located on Uganda’s north shelters families fleeing civil war and terrorism particularly prevailing in South Sudan and the Democratic Re- public of Congo. 94 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 2.2.14. Lebanon In 2018, TIKA has delivered nearly 7.5 tons of food and 420 blankets to 210 Syrian refugee families trying to sustain their lives under challenging conditions in Harisa on the north of Beirut. TÜRKIYE’S APPROACH TO REFUGEE | 95 The Approach Of Other Countries To The Refugee Crisis 0 3 96 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES While the issue of refugees should have been mankind’s common subject matter in the world to eliminate the problem of refugees in general, many governments are not inclined to cooperate to meet the needs of refugees and do not want to bear any costs. This perspective is reflected in the statistics of the refugees, the discourses of the state leaders and the practices of the governments. While we appreciate Türkiye’s efforts exerted for the refugees around the world, it is not possible to say that other governments have fulfilled their responsibilities for the refugees. THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 97 3.1. Refugees In The World With Statistical Comparisons According to the 2021 data of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are 89.3 million displaced people worldwide, of which 36.5 million are under 18 years of age. In 2021, 7.5 million people were forcibly displaced. The number of displa- ced people in the world has doubled compared to 20 years ago. Every day, 21,000 people leave their country and migrate to other countries and four out of five refugees take refuge in neighboring countries. The number of people seeking asylum in another country and waiting for ac- ceptance for re-settlement from the relevant country has reached to 4.6 million. According to UNHCR data, Syrians have been the most displaced na- tion in the world. The 6,7 million displaced Syrians are followed by 2,7 million Afghans, 2,3 million South Sudanese, 1,1 million Myan- marese, and 200 thousand Venezuelans. (Ukranian refugees are not included in the Report.). Children constitute half of the refugees in the world, of which the 138 thousand carry unaccompanied minor status. 98 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Türkiye, hosting the largest number of refugees with approximately 4 million is followed by Colombia with 1.8 million, Pakistan and Uganda with 1.5 million, Sudan with 1.1 million and Germany with 1.3 million refugees. Top Refugee-Hosting Countries 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3.5 3 4 TÜRKİYE 3.8 Million Germany 1.3 Million Sudan 1.1 Million Uganda 1.5 Million Pakistan 1.5 Million Colombia 1.8 Million THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 99 Türkiye is a country that accepted the highest population of Syrian refugees followed by Lebanon, Jordan, Germany, Iraq and Egypt. Number of Admitted Syrian Refugees TÜRKİYE Lebanon Jordan Germany Iraq 262,756 Ethiopia 132,871 Sweden 109,343 Sudan 93,502 Austria 49,179 Netherlands 32,092 500.000 1.000.000 1.500.000 2.000.000 2.500.000 3.000.000 3.500.000 4.000.000 0 3,651,428 831,053 675,433 532,065 100 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Developed countries have accepted only 6% of the world’s refugees. High-income countries host 2,7 refugees per thousand people on average ; while the middle and low income countries host 5,8 refugees per thousand people on average. i. The poorest countries are home to one third of all refugees in the world. Türkiye is a country that accepts the largest number of refugees in the world. In total, approximately 4 million refugees are living in Türkiye and this number is increasing every day. Türkiye stands out as the country that hosts half of the deterritorialized and displaced population in Syria. There are 339 thousand refugees in the USA, 241 thousand in Sweden, 130 thousand in Canada and 137 thousand in the United Kingdom. Syrian refugees are scattered in 127 countries across 6 continents. However, 85% of the Syrian refugees are still in the Middle East region. There is a total of 6,7 million Syrian refugees worldwide. The great majority of Syrians are in Türkiye. The ratio of Syrian refugees in Türkiye is 52% of the total of Syrian refugees worldwide. Canada hosts only 6% of the Syrian refugees worldwide. THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 101 3.2. Leader Statements On Migration And Refugees The negative view and perspectives of many states, especially European states, towards refugees are reflected in the discourse of State leaders and some senior officials of international organizations. Below are some of the statements of State leaders and top executives. Prime Minister Kiryakos Michotakis of Greece (2019) “Welcome to Greece, but only to those of our choosing. Those whom we did not greet will be returned. We are shutting the doors on illegal human smugglers and those who wish to enter the country without the right to asylum.” President Emmanuel Macron of France (2019) “My goal is to kick out anyone who has no reason to be here.” “In order to be able to welcome everyone properly, we should not be too attractive a country.” Former Minister of Interior Matteo Salvini of Italy (2019) Salvini, who attended the shutdown of the Mineo camp in Sicily, Italy, with a capacity of 5,000 people, stated: “What a beautiful day! This place will be used again for the real economy, agriculture, trade and business opportunities, not for refugee trade. I am proud to save this land from a problem. While Italians only dream of staying in such air-conditioned buildings with satellite antennas, these opportunities are given to refugees.” 102 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Prime Minister Victor Orban of Hungary (2018) “I can only speak on behalf of the Hungarian people, and they do not want immigrants. In my understanding, it is impossible for a government to defy the will of its people on a fundamental matter.” “We do not see these people as Muslim refugees. We see them as Muslim invaders.” Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of Austria (2018) “If it (the distribution of refugees) is not possible, safe zones can be established on the continent where asylum seekers and migrants are located. This should be supported by the EU and maybe even organised and militarily protected.” Former Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia (2016) “I can tell you that under the quota system, we will never bring a single Muslim to Slovakia.” “My country was built for the Slovaks, not for the minorities.” President Milis Zeman of Czechia (2015) “Muslim asylum seekers will not respect local law and more. They will seek ways to implement the Sharia rules.” President of the French Extreme Right-wing National Front Party Matine Le Pen, (2015) ‘”If no measure is taken, this migration trend will be like the barbarian invasion of the 4th century, and the consequences will be the same. We must stop this madness as soon as possible to protect our social pact, our freedom and our identity.” Mayor of Beziers in France Robert Mervard (2015) “Asylum seekers who occupy apartments in France: You are not welcome.” Poland’s Former Prime Minister, Leader of the Law and Justice Party Jaroslaw Kaczynski (2015) “Migrants brought Europe dysentery and cholera as well as parasites.” THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 103 The United Kingdom’s Former Prime Minister David Cameron (2015) “You have got a swarm of people coming across the Mediterranean, seeking a better life, wanting to come to Britain.” President Andrzej Suda of Poland (2015) “Migrants will bring possible epidemic diseases to the country.” French Republican Party Member Nadine Morano (2015) “We are the white race Jewish-Christians. We respect France. If you don’t want to, you can leave.” Former President Donald Trump of the United States (2019) When it was revealed that the facilities on the US-Mexico border where irregular migrant children and families were held were overcrowded, many children were illegally detained for more than 72 hours and children were not provided with warm meals, Trump said, “If illegal immigrants are unhappy with the conditions in the quickly built or refitted detentions centres, just tell them not to come. All problems solved!” 104 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 3.3. Problematic Applications Of Refugees In Various Countries Refugees who flee from the war in Syria and reach Europe in hopes of a new life often try to survive in unfavorable conditions in the camps. Syrian refugees face many problems with basic needs such as health, nu- trition and education. According to the current data of the European Police Office (Europol), approximately 10,000 unaccompanied refugee children are sought as missing persons. In many countries, on the route of refugee migration to Europe, refugees are confronted with the Police violence. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that French policemen mistreated asylum seekers in the Jungle camp in Calais. It was also stated that the French police sprayed pepper gas on food and beverages for the asylum seekers to leave the city of Calais. The international aid organization, The Oxford Hunger Committee (Ox- fam), condemned the ill-treatment of thousands of unprotected people in refugee camps on the Greek islands. The report published by Oxfam stated that the refugee camps in the Aegean islands were overcrowded, pregnant women and unaccompanied children were abandoned to their fate, lack of access to health services in the camps and hot water were among the many problems and Oxfam has invited the European Union to take action. THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 105 Many refugees in Calais, France, have long lived under bridges in very unhealthy conditions. In September 2015, Hungary built a 175 km barbed wire fence along the border with Serbia to keep asylum seekers out of the country, and those caught within 8 kilometers of the border were sent back to Serbia. Czechia has written a number with permanent stamps on the hands of refugees. This led to the analogy of the Nazis’ treatment of Jews in Europe during World War II. The 500 irregular migrants residing in Vucjak camp in the city of Bihac in Bosnia and Herzegovina that is located in a wooded area s, mainly struggled for survival under difficult conditions with the start of freezing cold and the first snow of the season which caused them to live under difficult conditions. According to the Greek Center for Social Solidarity, the number of unaccompanied minors has increased to 4,962, and 3/4 of these chil- dren are in inappropriate camps. Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mija- tovic stressed that asylum seekers in Greece are fighting for their lives and said, “I have witnessed terrible conditions in Mytilene, Samos and Corinth.” The rescue ship Ocean Viking, which took 104 immigrants in the Mediterranean, searched for a port and a dock to approach in Eu- rope for weeks and many European countries did not accept the ship. In 2015, in the town of Röszke on the Hungarian-Serbian border, a female cameraman kicked a refugee little girl in Serbia who tried to enter Hungary, tripped the father trying to escape with her child in her arms, and the events that were displayed caused reactions. 106 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 3.4. Refugee Camps In Different Countries The sheltering centers in Türkiye that were founded with great sacrifice and effort are highly qualified refugee camps which cannot be compared with other countries. In many countries, camps for refugees do not allow basic needs to be met, are insufficient in terms of security and do not provide humanitarian conditions. TÜRKİYE Hatay Camp THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 107 FRANCE Calais, Wild Forest Refugee 108 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES TÜRKİYE Temporary Shelter Center Kilis THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 109 HUNGARY Budapest, Eastern (Keleti) Remaining Refugees at Train Station 110 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES TÜRKİYE Container-Kilis City THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 111 GREECE Moria Refugee Camp 112 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES TÜRKİYE Elbeyli Temporary Shelter Center Kilis THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 113 GREECE Idom New Camp on the Border with Macedonia 114 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES TÜRKİYE Container City Nizip Lindsay Lohan Mehmet Öz THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 115 GREECE Ritson (Voiotia) Refugee Camp 116 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES TÜRKİYE Sarıçam Temporary Shelter Center THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 117 BANGLADESH Cox’s Bazar Maynor Gina Area Kutupalong Refugee Camp 118 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 3.5. Statements On Türkiye’s Role And Efforts In The Refugee Crisi The steps that Türkiye has taken for Syrians and the works carried out in every field are appreciated by the international community. In this context, the positive statements made by several state leaders, bureau- crats, representatives of international organizations about Türkiyes ef- forts is presented below. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (2021) “I am personally familiar with the enormous generosity of Türkiye and Turkish host communities towards refugees. I offer my sincere appreciation for your support to people in need of protection.” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi (2021) “Türkiye is an example to the world not only in that it continues to protect millions of refugees but is also a leader in how it hosts them.” President Vladimir Putin of Russia (2019) “The burden of refugees on Türkiye is immense. We know that very well. We understand the sensitivities of Türkiye very well.” Former President Donald Trump of the United States (2019) “Türkiye is home to 4 million refugees. Europe needs to take more re- sponsibility by taking steps in this regard. I hope Europe will rise to the occasion and do what is needed.” The United Kingdom’s Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson (2019) “We recognise the enormous pressures that Türkiye is facing due to hosting 4 million refugees, the terrorism threat from the PKK, which is a real threat that Türkiye is confronting.” THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 119 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Davor Bozi- novic of Croatia (2019) “The services and the social activities of the Government of the Re- public of Türkiye here (camps inhabited by the Syrians) are really praiseworthy.” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (2019) “Türkiye has contributed decisively in the fight against DAESH and the physical collapse of the so-called ‘Caliphate”. No other ally ac- cepted as many Syrian refugees as Türkiye did. Türkiye accepted 3.6 million Syrians, and none of the NATO countries suffered more ter- rorist attacks than Türkiye.” Head of the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees Hans Eckhard Sommer, (2019) “Türkiye is a reliable partner in refugee policies. This country has received more than three million refugees from Syria. This is a suc- cess we should recognise.” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi (2018) “Türkiye and its people have provided safety and refuge to mil- lions of Syrians fleeing war and destruction back home. As a host to more refugees than many of the world’s major economies com- bined, the international community must do its part to support Türkiye’s continuing generosity.” Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Human- itarian Aid (OCHA) Jens Laerke (2018) Türkiye’s hosting of refugees from different parts of the world serves as an outstanding example for other countries.” Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General Al Meraikhi (2017) “There is a UN standard for humanitarian aid. I observe, however, that Türkiye performs well above these standards. There has be- come a reality of “Turkish model” throughout the world.” 120 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Germany’s Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (2016) ”Syrian refugees that are issued work permits by Türkiye will have access to different opportunities because if there is unemploy- ment, as well as job seekers among asylum seekers, this creates controversy in all countries. This is a very brave step.” Former EU Council President Donald Tusk (2016) “It is not only a political statement; it is my personal opinion: Today, Türkiye is the only exemplary country for the rest of the world on how we should treat refugees. It is the leading country. No one has a right to lecture Türkiye on what it should do. I am really proud that you are my partner in this.” First Vice President of the European Commission Frans Tim- mermans (2016) “He stated that what he observed at Gaziantep is of great impor- tance to him, adding, “In fact, the arrival of such a big number of asylum seekers is a momentous occasion. This is a must-see for all Europeans. I would like to say, on behalf of the EU, you are not alone in this. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (2013) “Today, Türkiye serves as a model for the protection of refugees. It welcomed a huge number of Syrian refugees and provided them with high-quality assistance. Our contribution as the United Na- tions High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is merely a drop in the ocean in comparison to Türkiye’s efforts.” THE APPROACH OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS | 121 Angelina Jolie (2012) ‘’Now, (Recalling that came to Türkiye about a year ago) there is ten times more refugees from my visit. We are very grateful. I also met with many families and children today. Families and children are equally grateful to the Turkish people and the Turkish government. They are very emotional and very worried about what happened in Syria, they are curious about their families and friends staying in Syria. Turkish government has created this extraordinary camp with great generos- ity. It is really impressive. As Guterres said; “we all hope that there will be camps in these conditions to accommodate families who have had to flee their country. I have never seen a camp like this anywhere.’’ 122 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Other government leaders and officials qualifies Türkiye in the context of studies conducted for refugees as a “model country” or “example country”. However, Türkiye does not expect to be praised by the leaders of other states, but rather expect them to take more responsibility on the refugees matter. Actually, Türkiye’s military operations and a new residential area building projects for Syrians in the safe zone created in the north of Syria as a result of the diplomatic process, on one side this shows that there is still hope for a hand Syrians, on the other hand, it leaves European states with a new test. THERE IS HOPE FOR SYRIANS: SAFE ZONE | 123 There Is Hope For Syrians: Safe Zone 0 4 124 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES NEW SETTLEMENT AREAS IN SYRIA FOR A POPULATION OF 1.000.000 PEOPLE, TO BE CREATED WITH FOREIGN FUNDS Sample Project Images THERE IS HOPE FOR SYRIANS: SAFE ZONE | 125 Sample Project Images 140 VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS WITH 5,000 POPULATIONS 10 DISTRICT CENTERS FOR A POPULATION OF 30,000 126 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES A residential area, consisting of 140 villages for 5.000 people and 10 districts for 30.000 people, for a population of 1 million Syrians in total, will be established in the safe zone created on Syria’s northern border with Türkiye. THERE IS HOPE FOR SYRIANS: SAFE ZONE | 127 SIZE OF THE DISTRICTS 590.000 M2 FOR ONE VILLAGE, 86.000.000 M2 FOR 140 VILLAGES 1.000.000 M2 FOR ONE DISTRICT, 10.000.000 M2 FOR 10 DISTRICTS IN TOTAL, AREAS OF 92.600.000 M2 IS NEEDED 128 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES Each household in the villages will be given 1 acre of agricultural land based on the size of the land A youth center, an indoor sports facility and an administrative center 2 Mosques 2 Schools with 16 Classrooms Each village will be designed for 1.000 housing units with a size of 100 m2 each. (with 3 rooms and a living room and a barn for each and every unit) Sample Project Images THERE IS HOPE FOR SYRIANS: SAFE ZONE | 129 Each household in the villages will be given 1 acre of agricultural land based on the size of the land 2 indoor sports facilities, 5 youth centers, 1 small stadium and a football field of a scale of 4 neighbourhoods 1 central mosque, 10 neighborhood mosques 8 schools with 16 classroom capacity, 1 high school and a university Each of the districts will have 6.000 housing units with an average of 100 m2 (3+1 and 2+1) Sample Project Images Projects that will meet the technical infrastructure requirements of the universities and other structures will be designed. 130 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 1.000 HOUSING UNITS IN EACH VILLAGE 6.000 HOUSING UNITS IN EACH DISTRICT IN TOTAL 200.000 HOUSING UNITS 140 VILLAGES 10 DISTRICTS WITH 140.000 HOUSING UNITS 60.000 HOUSING UNITS THERE IS HOPE FOR SYRIANS: SAFE ZONE | 131 132 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES THERE IS HOPE FOR SYRIANS: SAFE ZONE | 133 1.000.000 people are planned to be settled in the region. The districts will have 30.000 inhabitants and the villages will have 5.000 inhabitants. Each village center consist of 20 villages. Initially 10 districts and 140 villages will be constructed. This is a draft of the project and detailed studies are in progress. From Ayn Al Arap (Kobane) to Tal Abyad 1 District, 7 Villages 65.000 People From Tal Abyad to Ras al-Ain 3 Districts 63 Villages 405.000 People From Ras al-Ain to Derik 6 Districts 70 Villages 530.000 People THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES 136 | THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES THE SAFE HARBOUR TÜRKİYE’S CALL TO THE WORLD: COOPERATION FOR REFUGEES