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UNICEF Turkey Crisis Humanitarian Situation Report – September

Attachments

Highlights

  • In September, UNICEF and the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) prepared for the 2016-2017 school year, which began on 19 September – with a focus on student registration and scaled-up teacher training.

  • In western Turkey, an average of 113 refugees and migrants made the sea journey from Turkey to Greece, every day.

  • As 2016 enters its last quarter, the priority will be on fulfilling UNICEF’s commitments this year while planning the humanitarian response for 2017.

  • Over 8,300 Syrian and Turkish education personnel received intensive training on critical subjects such as classroom management and psycho-social support.

  • 12,630 Syrian volunteer teachers – nearly 100% of all Syrian volunteer teachers operating in Turkey – received monthly incentives from UNICEF.

  • Within the Syria Crisis and Refugee and Migrant Crisis responses, a combined 3,538 vulnerable or at-risk children (including unaccompanied and separated children) were identified and referred to specialized services for further assistance.

Situation Overview

Turkey is home to the largest number of refugees in the world. Over 2.7 million Syrians are under temporary protection – nearly half of them children – as well as 300,000 asylum-seekers and refugees from other countries, predominantly Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, Turkey is a leading transit country for refugees and migrants crossing into Europe, with over 1 million people having made the dangerous sea journey from Turkey to Greece since January 2015.

During the month of September, UNICEF worked closely with the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) to prepare for the return of refugee children to Turkish public schools and temporary education centres (TECs) for the 2016-2017 school year, which began on 19 September – with a focus on student registration and scaled-up teacher training. Meanwhile, over 3,300 refugees and migrants made the journey from Turkey to Greece by sea or by land – an average of 113 per day3; according to the Turkish Coast Guard, 3,425 people were rescued or apprehended at sea, and at least 6 people lost their lives. Ninety-four people – all young single males primarily from Syria, Pakistan and North Africa – were readmitted to Turkey within the framework of the EU-Turkey Readmission Agreement.

Consistent with recent trends, the vast majority of those who made the sea journey to Greece (or were rescued or apprehended in the attempt) were nationals of Pakistan, followed by Syrians, Iraqis and Afghanis – and unofficial reports from UNICEF partners indicate that around 15% were children.