ECHO Factsheet – Türkiye (Last updated 02/02/2024) – Türkiye
Introduction
The country currently hosts the largest refugee population in the world, with close to 4 million people. Most refugees live outside camps.
While Türkiye provides registered refugees with access to basic rights and services, the skyrocketing cost of living and lack of access to income opportunities make it increasingly difficult for refugee families to get by.
In February 2023, 2 earthquakes affecting roughly 16 million people – in a radius of 500 kilometres -caused massive destruction and suffering in southeast Türkiye, creating new needs among both the Turkish and refugee populations. These events created further challenges for already vulnerable refugees.
In close cooperation with Turkish authorities, the EU continues to assist the most vulnerable people in Türkiye based on their humanitarian needs. Since 2015, the EU has supported nearly 100 humanitarian projects, contracted with over 21 partner organisations.
What are the needs?
Türkiye hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees, who have fled the ongoing war that has been ravaging their country for 13 years. Most of them face challenging and often precarious circumstances.
The country is making efforts to provide registered refugees access to basic rights and services, including education and health care. However, the depreciation of the Turkish lira, high inflation, and the lingering socio-economic impact of COVID-19 have further worsened the already difficult living conditions of refugees.
Price increases in essential areas such as food and transportation have seriously affected the refugee population and host communities across the country.
Vulnerable people, such as the disabled, children, and the elderly have been particularly hard hit.
Some refugees feel they have no choice but to resort to negative coping mechanisms, such as child labour, street begging, or child marriage. Many families reduce their food consumption or live in substandard housing.
On 6 February 2023, 2 earthquakes of magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5 struck Türkiye. The first was one of the most powerful earthquakes in the region in more than 100 years and struck the southeast of the country, close to the border with Syria.
The Government of Türkiye reported over 50,000 deaths, over 107,000 injured, and more than 300,000 damaged or destroyed buildings.
The humanitarian needs in the earthquake-affected areas remain high. Key priorities include:
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access to social assistance and protection for vulnerable groups, namely psychosocial support
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the rehabilitation of health and education services
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water, sanitation, and hygiene
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shelter
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protection.
