Turkey

2012 UNHCR country operations profile - Turkey

Working environment

The context

Significant developments are expected in UNHCR's operation in Turkey over the next two years, with the anticipated adoption of this country's first ever asylum law. This new law, drafted with UNHCR's assistance, introduces a legal framework in compliance with basic international standards, principles of non-discrimination and non-refoulement, and a rights-based approach enabling asylum applicants to have access to medical services, education and social assistance. It is expected that there will be a minimum two- to three-year transitional period during which UNHCR will provide the necessary technical support.

Capacity-building support activities and strengthened collaboration with the Government of Turkey thus continue to be important. Although Turkey maintains the geographic reservation which restricts its obligations under the 1951 Convention to people uprooted by events in Europe, the country nevertheless affords protection to non-European asylum-seekers applying various national regulations, while UNHCR seeks to secure a solution for them, primarily through resettlement elsewhere.

In the first half of 2011, the numbers of new arrivals in Turkey have sharply increased largely owing to the security situation in Syria. The Government of Turkey has established a de facto temporary protection regime for all Syrians (open border policy, no forced return, no limit of duration of stay in Turkey, possibility to get assistance in the camps in Hatay province, etc.).

The needs

Already in 2010, the rate of new arrivals increased substantially (some 9,230 claimed asylum as compared to some 7,840 in 2009), with a significant increase in Iranians (45 per cent) followed by Iraqis and Somalis. Since the beginning of 2011, an overall increase of 60 per cent in new arrivals was observed. With these new developments, UNHCR estimates that there could be over 22,000 people of concern in Turkey in 2012.

UNHCR manages an important resettlement programme, which is seen as a concrete measure of responsibility-sharing and often, the only durable solution that can be offered to refugees. The resettlement programme is expected to continue at a rate of at least 6,000 resettlement submissions each year.

UNHCR works with authorities to strengthen asylum in Turkey by establishing a comprehensive and sustainable national asylum system based on international standards, and providing protection for current asylum seekers. UNHCR was intensively engaged in the drafting of the law on asylum and in the asylum unit providing support and expertise.

Main objectives and targets for 2012

Favourable Protection Environment

• Legal Framework supported/adopted, and administrative institutions and practice developed or strengthened

Fair Protection Processes and Documentation

• Quality and efficiency of registration/refugee status determination and profiling improved or maintained

Basic Needs and Essential Services

• Services for people with specific needs strengthened and support to persons of concern provided and improved in the expanded urban context

Durable Solutions

• Potential for resettlement realized, to promote solutions and broaden the protection space, and to facilitate other durable solutions as possible.

Strategy and activities in 2012

UNHCR's overall focus will be on expanding the protection space both through direct registration/refugee status determination (RSD), and in strengthening collaboration with the Government and partners for the delivery of protection activities. This will include continued technical support to the authorities and capacity-building following the adoption of the asylum law expected early in 2012, as well as assistance in drafting secondary legislation.

UNHCR will identify and advocate for the needs of increased asylum- seekers/refugees, and seek to advance protection approaches in the urban setting. Turkey applies "the satellite city" model whereby refugees are hosted in over 50 urban locations spread throughout the country. UNHCR will closely engage with the satellite cities' authorities hosting refugees to strengthen protection delivery and distill best practices and the experience acquired. In terms of daily protection, counselling and outreach activities, the satellite city model presents challenges which will be addressed through a revised strategy involving expanding partnerships with selected implementing partners, NGOs and civil society.

The resettlement programme will continue to represent an important aspect of UNHCR's work in its search for durable solutions. UNHCR will advocate for additional resettlement opportunities, to complement other durable solutions.

Constraints

Political unrest and conflict situations in the region have prompted large numbers of individuals to flee their country and seek asylum and protection in Turkey. The rapidly growing numbers of asylum applicants place additional pressure on existing structures. It will be important that UNHCR focuses time and resources towards expert support during the legal transition period in Turkey until the new legislation and asylum unit are fully operational. Migration management is also challenging, including at the borders particularly where there may be mixed flows.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR will maintain its close working relationship with its main counterparts - the Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs, while expanding its dialogue with civil society as an essential component of UNHCR's protection activities. UNHCR will also seek to encourage more active involvement by NGOs by providing them with training and playing a catalytic role in helping national partners develop projects, while linking them to funding opportunities.

Financial information

The operational budget in 2011 has allowed support in improving standards of protection afforded through the national framework, along with registration and RSD. The budget of more than USD 18.9 million for 2012 is based on the sharply increasing numbers of new arrivals, expanding number of satellite cities and corresponding protection needs and requirements.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013

UNHCR contact information