Help Children and Refugees in Türkiye (Turkey)

Türkiye is already facing an ongoing refugee crisis, hosting up to 3.6 million Syrian refugees – many of whom are living in overcrowded and unstable accommodations.

Today, half of Türkiye’s Syrian refugees are living in a region destroyed by the recent earthquakes.

In the aftermath of an earthquake, there is a high risk of children becoming separated from their families. Children separated from their families are at extremely high risk of emotional and psychological distress, abuse and exploitation, and other forms of violence.

Save the Children is currently coordinating with the Government of Türkiye’s Ministry of Family and Social Services who have set up family reunification and tracing mechanisms, so any child identified as unaccompanied or separated from their parents can be referred for support.

Adoption is not an appropriate response for unaccompanied children until local authorities and humanitarian agencies have exhausted all efforts to trace and reunite them with their families and extended community.

Zehra,* a mental health officer working for Save the Children in Türkiye, explained, "The children (in Turkey) we’re speaking to are showing signs of aggression, being withdrawn, and not speaking much, while some others show the opposite: they want a lot of attention. Parents are also telling us that children are having nightmares."

In Antakya, Hatay, and remote villages hard-hit in Türkiye, Save the Children teams have set up child-friendly activities for children aged five to 12 so they have a safe place to play, learn, and express their grief and loss.

By joining Team Tomorrow as a monthly donor, your continued support can help make a major difference in the lives and communities of children around the world, including those growing up in areas impacted by natural disasters.