Introduction

The living conditions of the 3.1 million Syrian refugees in Turkey are challenging and often precarious, with many facing significant hardships:

Housing

Most refugees live outside of camps in urban areas, often in substandard or overcrowded housing.

Many face harsh living conditions, including cramped and unhealthy apartments that affect their health.

Refugees struggle to find affordable housing due to skyrocketing rental prices. Between 2019 and 2023, rental prices in Turkey surged by 583% nationwide.

Some refugees continue living in moderately damaged buildings after the 2023 earthquakes, leaving them in precarious conditions.

Economic Challenges

The depreciation of the Turkish lira, high inflation, and lingering socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 have worsened living conditions.

Price increases in essential areas like food and transportation have seriously affected refugees.

Many families struggle to afford basic necessities and resort to negative coping mechanisms like child labor or reducing food consumption.

Access to Services

While Turkey provides registered refugees access to basic rights and services, including education and healthcare, access can be limited.

The 2023 earthquakes disrupted access to healthcare, education, and employment, especially in affected areas.

Legal Status and Discrimination

Refugees face housing discrimination through selective overpricing, ethnic filtering, and arbitrary interrogations.

Rising anti-refugee sentiment has led to xenophobic attacks and protests against Syrians in some areas.

Some neighborhoods have been closed to refugee residency, limiting housing options.

Temporary Accommodation

As of December 2023, about 63,881 refugees lived in nine large-scale camps across five provinces.

Some refugees reside in container settlements or informal tent camps, which often lack proper facilities and are located in remote areas.

Impact of 2023 Earthquakes

The earthquakes in February 2023 caused massive destruction, creating new needs among both Turkish and refugee populations.

Many refugees were displaced again, with some moving to temporary accommodation centers.

Conclusion

Despite these challenges, it’s important to note that Turkey has made significant efforts to host and support Syrian refugees, providing temporary protection status and access to some basic services. However, the large number of refugees and economic pressures in Turkey continue to strain resources and create difficult living conditions for many Syrians.