Strengthening local partnerships - our partner "Orange"
Localization of humanitarian relief strengthens local partnerships to efficiently support communities based on their specific needs and contexts.
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Türkiye
Türkiye is home to the largest number of refugees in the world, hosting close to 4 million people (source: European Commission). Over 3.6 million refugees come from Syria alone (source: UNHCR) and have fled the ongoing war in their home country. These large numbers were already placing an increasing burden on the country's social infrastructure before, but after the devastating earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria on February 6, 2023, the humanitarian need in southeastern Türkiye became even more urgent.
Less than two percent of the refugees are accommodated Türkiye's seven refugee camps. The vast majority live on the streets or in desolate and unhygienic housing conditions. Many are not integrated into the labor market and lack Turkish language skills. With no immediate prospects of returning home, numerous refugees suffer from the effects of past violence and chronic post-traumatic stress disorders. Additionally, there are significant gaps in the host community's health system, particularly in rural areas, that affect the hosting communities as well.
Millions of people - including women and children in particular - are dependent on humanitarian aid. Malteser International has been on the ground with our partner organizations since 2012, providing vital emergency aid
The people in Türkiye are in urgent need of your support: Help now!
This is how we provide aid in the earthquake regions:
Since the severe earthquake in the Türkiye/Syria border region on 06 February 2023, our humanitarian aid activities have also focused on providing emergency relief in the affected regions.
We work closely with local partners, focusing on providing immediate relief and addressing the disaster’s multifaceted challenges.
Our assistance included the following activities (by sector):
Health:
- 13,657 consultations as part of basic medical care.
- 609 Psychologic support sessions.
- 410 people received 41 group sessions pf psychological support.
- 83 patients received physiotherapy services.
- 67 patients received mobility aids.
- 116 patients were referred for specialized healthcare
Non-Food-Items:
- 101 tents.
- 1,900 beds.
- 2,200 generators.
- 3,300 sleeping bags or blankets. Additionally, 300 households received two blankets.
- 1,400 food and 1,400 hygiene kits for 12,000 people.
Our long-term aid in Türkiye:
Since 2012, we have been providing humanitarian aid to refugees from Syria in cooperation with our local partner in the southern Turkish border town of Gaziantep, as well as cross-border in Syria itself.
The focus of our humanitarian work in Türkiye is on health care, especially rehabilitation measures in the form of physiotherapy treatments, psychosocial support and mobile clinics that ensure individuals in remote areas to receive essential medical care. In Kilis, we support a physiotherapy center operated by the Independent Doctors Association (IDA). Our goal is to enhance the rehabilitation services to help earthquake survivors recover faster.
Stories from our work in Türkiye:
When aid workers become affected
During the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria in February 2023, the employees of aid organizations, who were usually victims themselves, were quick to help others who had lost their homes and loved ones.
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Health care on wheels: mobile clinics for affected people
Months after the earthquake in Türkiye, Malteser International and its local partner IDA continue to aid affected communities through mobile clinics and a physiotherapy center, providing essential health services.
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Of Hardship and Hope – Finding Sanctuary in Art
Displacement and conflict disrupted her sense of security, but safe spaces for self-expression, like drawing, helped the 10-year-old Shaheda process trauma and express her hopes for the future.
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Faces of our work: Betoul Abras
After graduating in Psychology from the University of Aleppo during the Syrian Civil War, Betoul became a refugee in Türkiye, where she now works with Malteser International, creating and training on psychosocial support projects.
Read moreBecome a sponsoring partner and provide longlasting aid for people in need
As a sponsoring partner, your regular donation gives real, life-changing help to people in need in our project regions. Your commitment helps us plan ahead and bring about long-lasting impact.
- We put your generous donation to use, bringing help to those who need it most.
- Our monthly newsletter will keep you regularly updated on our work.
- You can easily amend or stop your payment at any time.
Completed projects:
Project information:
Program Offices: Kilis, Gaziantep
Project region: Gaziantep, Kilis
Partner: Independent Doctors Association (IDA)
Photo credit: Gonzalo Bell/Malteser International
