Improving access to services for Syrian refugees living in Mersin Province

Millions of Syrians continue to be displaced inside Syria and in neighbouring countries. The number of Syrian refugees in Turkey has continued to rise throughout 2014. In October 2014, Turkey counted 1 '097'740 registered Syrian refugees (UNHCR) and another 500'000 unregistered. Over 220,000 of them are living in 22 camps across 10 provinces in South East Turkey, but an additional 1.4 million Syrians are estimated to be living outside the camps. They can be found throughout the country, but in all evidence mainly in south eastern urban areas and in Istanbul. This development has led to multiple pressures: A geographic movement of refugees away from the border region along the densely urbanized Mediterranean cost, with Adana and Mersin in the first line; and growing difficulties for refugees to have access to basic services and protection. The refugee complex is spreading, and the burden on infrastructures and resources is growing. In response, local and international organisations have set up community centres providing reference and in-centre services to refugees, but these initiatives have focused on the border provinces of Gaziantep, Kilis, Sanhurfa,Hatay. Additional centres are now planned in Adana, lzmir, Istanbul. In Mersin, such a centre was already set up beginning 2012 by the Turco-Syrian NGO Syria Social Gathering, with private funding from the Syrian diaspora. While province-by-province statistics are unavailable in Turkey, the indirect evidence indicates that Mersin province hosts 10- 15% of the total refugee population in the country. In January 2013 SSG concluded an MOU with the "International Medical Corps" (IMC), for the latter to provide medical staff. The IOM-SSG partnership is new, dating from beginning October 2014. The proposal is for SOC's to support this partnership.

Syrian refugees have increased access to services in Mersin province and the project contributes to their self-reliance and integration in Turkey.

Syrian refugees living in Mersin province, in particular children and youth for training and education, and particularly vulnerable refugees for basic services and emergency aid.

1. Syrian school children in Mersin have continued access to education;
2. Youth/adults attending vocational courses have better opportunities and are more likely to integrate in Turkey;
3. Syrian populations living in Mersin province are aware of their rights and access to legal assistance;
4. Syrian populations in Mersin have access to community based psychosocial assistance;
5. Conditions of Syrian families who have newly arrived to Mersin/Turkey are improved;
6. The services and capacity of the Syria Social Gathering is improved and is protection sensitive.

Resultados previstos:  

1. 2,000 Syrian school children in Mersin have access to daily education;
2. 10,000 youth/ adults attend language and skills training courses during duration of the project;
3. 3 lawyers provide legal assistance to Syrians who require civil documentation and case management;
4. Psychosocial activities/counselling is available and provided by SSG to Syrians living in Mersin;
5. Needs-based emergency assistance is provided to around 100 vulnerable Syrian families newly arrived in Mersin;
6. 9 staff training courses are conducted on financial management (1), administration and procurement (1), project management (1), child protection (3), psychosocial support in emergencies (3). This will improve the capacity of SSG to deliver services and access funds to make the SSG centre sustainable beyond 2015.

IOM is a full member of the UN-Country Team for Turkey, for continuing inter-agency coordination. IOM-Turkey has participated in the planning process for the UN's Regional Response and Resilience Plan 2015 ("3RP"); and the present project is in line with the Plan. Through its MOU with the "International Medical Corps" (IMC), the local implementing partner for the present project, i.e. SSG, will be able to ensure that its approach at the Mersin centre is in line with similar projects in other provinces (IMC supports several multi-service centres for refugees in other provinces, including Gaziantep and Istanbul). SSG is a fully accredited NGO in Turkey and has long- standing relations with provincial authorities in Mersin, working hand-in-hand with the local services by the latter.

Fase 1 15.12.2014 - 14.09.2015   (Completed)