Strengthening local partnerships - our partner "Orange"
Localization of humanitarian relief strengthens local partnerships to efficiently support communities based on their specific needs and contexts.
Read more
Türkiye
After the devastating earthquake on February 6, 2023, that hit Türkiye and Syria, the humanitarian need in southeastern Türkiye became urgent. Malteser International quickly mobilized an emergency relief team for the affected regions. We work closely with local partners, focusing on providing immediate relief and addressing the disaster’s multifaceted challenges.
Additionally to our earthquake aid, we intervene in healthcare gaps of rural areas. Together with the Independent Doctors Association (IDA) in Gaziantep, we provide critical interventions like free physiotherapy, psychosocial support, and mobile clinic services that insure individuals in remote areas to receive essential medical care.
In Kilis, we support a physiotherapy center operated by IDA. Our goal is to enhance the rehabilitation services to help earthquake survivors recover faster.
Our aid in Türkiye before the earthquake
With over 3.7 million refugees from Syria who fled the ongoing war in their homeland Türkiye is one of the most welcoming countries in the world. The influx of refugees into Türkiye began in 2011 and the large number of refugees poses an increasing burden on the country's social infrastructure.
Less than two percent of the refugees are accommodated in the 7 refugee camps in Türkiye. The vast majority of Syrian refugees either live on the streets or have to endure desolate and unhygienic housing conditions. They are not properly integrated into the labour market and many of them do not speak the Turkish language. There is no prospect of people returning to their home country in the near future.
Many people are suffering from the consequences of violence experienced in Syria. In order to prevent them from chronic post-traumatic stress disorders it is important to provide them with psychological support.
Help the Syrian refugees in Türkiye!
With your donation, we support access to physiotherapy and psychosocial support for Syrian refugees 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, as well as psychosocial support for the refugees. In this way, we help to improve the physical and psychosocial well-being of those affected.
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.
Stories from our work in Türkiye:
When aid workers become affected
During the earthquakes in Turkey 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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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
