IFRC TURKEY

Meeting the needs and improving the lives of

vulnerable people

ABOUT IFRC OUR ROLE IN TURKEY

The International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest
humanitarian organization, reaching 150 million people
in 192 National Societies through the work of 13.7 million
volunteers.
Together, we act before, during and after disasters and
health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the
lives of vulnerable people.
We provide assistance without discrimination as to
nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class or political
opinions.
The Turkish Red Crescent (Türk Kızılay) is one of the 192
National Societies that make up the IFRC’s secretariat. IFRC
has been working with Turkish Red Crescent, the largest
humanitarian organization in Turkey, to help vulnerable
people in and out of disasters for years, both in the
country and abroad.
More than 2.1 million people currently receive support
through our programmes, in cooperation with the
Government of Turkey. We are supporting vulnerable
people, including refugees, Turkish communities, those
impacted by disasters and other groups in need of
humanitarian assistance.

OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH TURKISH RED CRESCENT

Livelihood Protection Health Social Cash Disaster risk

support to assistance education and cohesion assistance to reduction and
increase and access to psychosocial through support basic emergency
employability information support community needs for response
and services activities refugees

Version: August 2020

 1.7 million refugees 50% more families 50% decrease
receive monthly cash assistance said they were able to cover in the number of children
to support their basic needs their basic needs (such as rent, working to support their families
utilities and food)2 financially2

SUPPORTING REFUGEES THROUGH CASH ASSISTANCE

The Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN)

Funded by the European Union and its Member States
under the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, the Emergency
Social Safety Net (ESSN) provides monthly cash assistance
via debit cards to more than 1.7 million of the most
vulnerable refugees in Turkey.
As of 1 April 2020, IFRC has been the new partner under
the ESSN working with the Turkish Red Crescent, in close
coordination with the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social
Services. The ESSN also works closely with the Social
Assistance and Solidarity Foundation (SASF) offices who
lead on the eligibility and verification of new applications
as well supports cases not eligible under the ESSN.
Every month, each family member receives 120 Turkish
Lira (approximately 17 euros), enabling them to decide
for themselves how to cover essential needs like rent,
transport, bills, food and medicine. The ESSN offers
additional quarterly top-ups based on family size, with
special payments to families with members who require
more care.
The ESSN is the largest humanitarian programme in
the history of the EU and the largest programme ever
implemented by the IFRC.
The IFRC has been leading large-scale cash programmes
for decades. Cash is cost-effective and gives families the
freedom, dignity and independence to take control of their
own lives and allows them to engage with and contribute
to the communities that are hosting them.
“I never imagined that
choice would matter so
much. It does matter. It is a
priceless feeling.”
– Mohammad and his family receives monthly
cash assistance through ESSN.

2
Source: WFP, March 2020. Surveys conducted between May 2017 and September 2019.
 2.4 million people 26,000 people 256,000 people
supported since 2012 following supported with livelihood reached with community-based
an influx of refugees into Turkey activities health and first aid education

RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF REFUGEES SINCE 2012

International appeal: Turkey population movement

The conflict in Syria has had devastating consequences,
leaving an estimated 11.7 million people in need of
humanitarian assistance. Turkey is home to the largest
refugee population in the world with 4 million that have
saught safety in its borders.
Since 2012, the Turkish Red Crescent, through the IFRC’s
international appeal for population movement, has been
taking a leading role in responding to the needs of millions
of refugees1 in temporary accommodation centres and
urban settings. The appeal has focused on addressing
emergency needs, resilience and social cohesion.
In 2017, a partnership between 14 Red Cross and Red
Crescent National Societies and the IFRC began the
implementation of a three-year programme through the
European Union Regional Trust Fund (EUTF) in Response
to the Syrian Crisis, the MADAD Fund. The programme is
implemented in five countries, including Turkey, integrated
under the IFRC’s international appeal. In Turkey, the EUTF
MADAD supports Syrian refugees and host communities
1
People under international and temporary protection
through 15 community centres to increase livelihoods,
resilience and self-reliance, provide community-based
health and first aid, give psychosocial support and
strengthen the capacity of the Turkish Red Crescent.
These centres easily adapt to the needs in each
community, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Centres are a source of trusted and reliable information
about the disease, in addition to providing hygiene items,
protective equipment, psychosocial support and referals
to health facilities and consultation services.
“We can pay our rent, and
we can buy things, clothes
and food. It is satisfying to earn
your own money.”
– Ahmed, a Syrian refugee who now has a job
and income thanks to Turkish Red Crescent.
 RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES ACROSS TURKEY

Turkey is highly prone to earthquakes, landslides, floods,
rockfalls and avalanches. It is also exposed to extreme
heat and flooding. More than 95 per cent of the country
lies in one of the most earthquake and landslide-prone
regions in the world.
As auxiliary to the Government of Turkey, the Turkish
Red Crescent plays an integral role in Turkey’s National
Disaster Response Plan, working together with relevant
government agencies in coordination and implementation
of disaster response.
IFRC provides support to Turkish Red Crescent before,
during and after disasters and emergencies so that
communities are better prepared and ready to respond.
IFRC also works with Turkish Red Crescent in health
preparedness and response, including psychosocial
support, community-based health activities and first aid.
During epidemics and pandemics, like the current
COVID-19 pandemic, IFRC supports the Turkish Red
Crescent in responding and further preventing its spread.
As part of the global COVID-19 appeal, IFRC is helping
Turkish Red Crescent produce and distribute personal
protective equipment to front-line workers; engage
communities, provide information on how to prevent,
protect and respond to COVID-19; address rumours
and misinformation; deliver hygiene items; and provide
psychosocial support to help families cope.

WE ARE GUIDED BY OUR SEVEN FUNDAMENTAL

PRINCIPLES
Humanity Voluntary service

Impartiality Unity

Neutrality Universality

Independence

Contact us:
T +90 312 207 4430 | E CountryOffice.Turkey@ifrc.org
Mustafa Kemal Mah. 2134 Sok. No:8/B 06510 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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Photos credited to Turkish Red Crescent Society (Turk Kizilay)