According to UNHCR, Türkiye hosts the world’s largest refugee population, with just over 4 million refugees and asylum-seekers under temporary and international protection. It is estimated that 3.7 million Syrians are under temporary protection, and 327,418 Iraqi and Afghani refugees and asylum-seekers are under international protection in Turkiye. According to the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan 3RP in Turkiye, 71 percent of refugee households are unable to access skilled or reliable work. At the same time, the employment situation within the host community is also challenging, especially among youth.
In 2022, RET has been working in Ankara, Çorum, Kayseri, Kilis, Mardin, Samsun, and Şanlıurfa provinces within the scope of its projects in Turkiye, in partnership with LEAP Turkiye (LNGO), targeting the refugees and host communities with education, protection, social cohesion, youth empowerment, livelihoods, and women’s socio-economic empowerment programs.
RET’s Project, “Turkish and English Language Learning Program as a Social Cohesion Tool,” aims to enhance Social Cohesion by facilitating communication between the host and refugee communities, establishing trust, values sharing, and social integration through language classes. In 2022, RET has reached 1052 beneficiaries, 455 refugees with Turkish classes and 102 refugees and 495 host community members with English Classes in multiple locations Ankara, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, and Samsun.
RET’s Project, “Multi-sectoral Approach for Fostering Resilience among Non-Syrian Refugee and Vulnerable Host Communities” has reached more than 4800 women men from the host and refugee communities in Kayseri to date. Moreover, RET delivered Social Cohesion training to more than 2100 beneficiaries from the host and refugee communities living in Kayseri. RET has implemented a quick language program to support refugees in Kayseri with Turkish language skills. So far, 150 refugees have completed Turkish Language Courses through the project.
Finally, RET raised awareness of gender-based violence, reaching more than 970 people from the refugee and host communities and more than 1350 through information dissemination sessions on sexual and reproductive health.
The “A Kitchen Story” project led by the “Leap Women’s Entrepreneurship, Production and Management Co-operative” and endorsed by RET and LEAP Turkiye aims to strengthen and grow the professional skills of women and young people and increase their employability while promoting an entrepreneurial culture and ensuring equality and access to opportunities.
