Overview
In 2014, Türkiye became the country hosting the world’s largest number of refugees. It is estimated that 4 million refugees have sought safe haven in Türkiye and they are mostly from neighboring war-torn or instable countries: Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Ukraine.
The influx of thousands of refugees from around the region has created enormous challenges in Türkiye.
Many refugees come to Türkiye with complex injuries, both physical and emotional. Thousands have sustained life-altering physical injuries due to the conflict, while for others the psychological trauma of war and violence is ongoing.
These refugees need health, rehabilitation and protection services, but COVID-19 and a weak socio-economic situation means the country’s infrastructure, healthcare system, and economy is struggling to meet the needs of so many. As a result, the majority of the refugee population is unable to access the services necessary to rebuild their lives and begin to plan for their futures.
We began working from Türkiye in 2013, with a focus on providing medical services and water trucking across the southern border into Syria. But as the Syrian crisis expanded to impact the country’s neighbors, so have our programs to meet the growing need in Türkiye itself. We support both the refugee population and vulnerable members of the communities that host them.
We currently support six comprehensive rehabilitation centers across Türkiye for refugees with disabilities. These centers specialize in providing prosthetics, orthotics, and physical therapy and mental health services for refugees with disabilities.
In addition to addressing refuges immediate needs, Relief International is also leading humanitarian efforts to raise aware about disabilities among refugee communities. We have conducted several studies about the prevalence of disabilities among these communities, and have provided training to civil actors and public institutes about disability and inclusion. We also regularly coordinate with other humanitarian organizations, working groups, public institutions, and local authorities to identify and eradicate key barriers to inclusion.
“Often, people think that receiving a prosthetic is the final step for someone who has lost a limb during conflict. However, in many ways, it is just the start of an adjustment process that requires hours of painstaking work,” says RI Senior Project Officer, Mohammed Dahan. “The person must learn how to live with their device, how to maintain it, and how to strengthen their body to use it correctly.”
“Our services are designed holistically to help prosthetic recipients overcome the physical and mental challenges they encounter in this process.”
Providing Safe and Inclusive Access to Physical Rehabilitation Services in Türkiye
Linda was injured after her house was shelled during the conflict in Syria. To escape the fighting, Linda and her family sought refuge in Türkiye.
There, she heard about Relief International and its partner organizations who provide rehabilitation services to Syrian refugees. Linda received a prosthetic leg and took part in rehabilitation sessions where she learnt how to walk again.
Najm’s Journey to Reclaimed Mobility and a New Life
From Healing to Helping: Muna’s Role in Transforming Lives in Türkiye
Türkiye and Syria Earthquakes – Six Months On
The Humanitarian Spirit: From War in Syria to the Earthquake in Türkiye
Hassan’s Story: Learning to Walk for a Second Time
Finding Health and Hope in Turkey
On the Road to Physical Recovery
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