Turkey

With over 3.5 million refugees from Syria who fled the ongoing war in their homeland Turkey is one of the most welcoming countries in the world. The influx of refugees into Turkey 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 Turkey. 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 Turkey!

€ 15

With € 15 a Syrian child can participate in leisure activities.

Give now!

€ 20

Wit € 20 60 Syrian children can have a lunch snack at school.

Give now!

€ 50

Give € 50 to support job- seeking refugees in participating in a vocational qualification course.

Give now!

Donate any amount and support our work.

Give now!

With your donation we support the integration of Syrian refugees

We provide humanitarian aid for refugees from Syria in Istanbul from our location in the southern Turkish border towns of Kilis, Gaziantep and Reyhanli and provide cross-border aid in Syria itself. The focus of our humanitarian work in Turkey is on health care, education and integration into the Turkish labour market, strengthening civil society and providing psychosocial support for refugees.

Empowering Syrian women in Turkey

A refuge for Syrian refugee children

Rehabilitative therapy for Syrian refugees

Preparing Syrian refugees for jobs in Istanbul

Faces of our work: Betoul Abras

When Betoul Abras graduated in Psychology from the University of Aleppo, the Syrian Civil War was already underway. In 2013, she left her job in the country and, with her parents, became herself one of millions of Syrian refugees in Turkey. She worked in a community center of the International Blue Crescent (IBC) in cooperation with Malteser International providing mental health and psychosocial support to thousands of refugees in Kilis, Turkey. Today, Betoul works with Malteser International to prepare projects in psychosocial support and trains partner organizations of Malteser International on psychologically related healthcare topics. Her book "Memories Shattered by War" tells the story of ten Syrian refugees in Turkey and their experiences of the brutal conflict that has sparked the largest humanitarian crisis of our time.

Of Hardship and Hope – Finding Sanctuary in Art

“It used to be very grey, but now I can see life in colors rand I feel safe.” Wars and conflict can affect a child’s feeling of security and hope, displacement can also turn a child’s life upside down. Safe spaces for self-expression can play a central role in helping children work through their experiences of trauma. Through her drawings, 10-year-old Shaheda is processing her experiences and expressing her wishes or hopes for the future.

Batoul: Syrian refugee helping fellow citizens in Turkey

Batoul, herself a Syrian refugee in Turkey, is helping other refugees from the ongoing conflict in her homeland to deal with their often-traumatic experiences. She works with Malteser International to prepare projects in psycho-social support and trains partner organizations of Malteser International on psychologically related healthcare topics.

View all news

Become 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.