Turkey Resilience Project for Syrians starts in Ankara

By Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA

Turkey Resilience Project in response to the Syria Crisis was officially launched in capital Ankara on Friday.

The project is financed by the EU and implemented by UN Development Program (UNDP).

In a press release, UNDP said the two-year project aims to share Turkey’s burden as the country hosting the highest number of refugees in the world.

With the budget of €50 million, the project will contribute to the economic and social resilience of Syrians and host communities and the strengthening of national and local institutions.

Promoting job creation, strengthening local government capacities and providing Turkish language training for Syrians in 11 provinces of Turkey is among the focuses of the project.

As part of the project, 2,000 Syrians and host community members will benefit employment and livelihoods, while 52,000 Syrians get Turkish language training, and more than 307,000 Syrians and host community members receive improved municipal services.

Addressing the event for the launch of the project, Irena Vojáčková-Sollorano, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, praised Turkey’s “outstanding generosity” in hosting 3.5 million Syrians

She stressed solidarity, cooperation and common will as a key response to the global problems.

Exemplary project

Underlining the development-centered approach to humanitarian crises, Sollorano said activities in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, socio-cultural cohesion will pave the way for the success in that approach.

Long-term planning, cooperation with local partners and concrete projects is required, she said.

The EU-funded project would be an exemplary, satisfying project elevating hopes for all, Sollorano said.

Also speaking at the event, Claudio Tomasi, UNDP Turkey Country Director, said the project would be a significant step to share Turkey’s burden.

On the objectives of the project, Tomasi said: “Under the €50m-budget Project, our objective is by 2020 to enable 2,000 Syrians and host community members to have employment and livelihoods, 52,000 Syrians to receive Turkish language training, and more than 307,000 Syrians and host community members to enjoy improved municipal services.”

The project will be activated in southeastern provinces of Gaziantep, Hatay, Sanliurfa and Kilis -- the Turkish cities most affected by the Syrian crisis.

Other large cities of Turkey -- Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Adana, Konya, Mersin and Manisa -- will also host the project.