Giving Back Through Solidarity

With the support of the European Union through its Humanitarian Aid Operations, UNHCR Türkiye and its NGO partners help refugees and asylum-seekers access protection services, psychosocial support, information provision and community-based support mechanisms. These efforts not only help forcibly displaced people overcome the challenges they face in the country of asylum but also enable them to support others, strengthen community solidarity, and rebuild their lives with dignity.

For Eiman, this transformation began four years ago when she met the Human Resource Development Foundation (HRDF/İKGV), a national NGO partner of UNHCR. Eiman arrived in Türkiye in 2014 after fleeing the conflict in Syria. As she worked to rebuild her life in displacement, she lost her husband and, later, one of her daughters. While coping with these profound losses, she continued supporting her two children, determined to keep moving forward despite the challenges she faced.

“This centre became the place where I held on to life again,” says Eiman. “Those were very difficult, very dark days for me. It was through the solidarity and support I found here that I was able to stand on my feet again.”

At the community centre, Eiman participated in training sessions for women, psychosocial support activities, and legal awareness workshops. Alongside receiving the information and support she needed, she also found a new sense of community. The guidance provided by trained staff and the group activities helped her to navigate one of the most difficult periods of her life.

Over time, Eiman’s role evolved from participant to facilitator. Thanks to the training received, she began supporting women empowerment programmes as a facilitator herself. Having worked as a kindergarten teacher in Syria, she says she has always enjoyed teaching but also learning new things and skills. Today, she shares both her professional experience and the knowledge gained at the centre with women facing similar challenges.

“I believe women’s solidarity is incredibly important,” she says. “Many women who experience violence or are unaware of their rights feel completely alone. Here, they learn about their rights and realize that they are not alone. We support one another, and together we become stronger.”

Through the sessions she facilitates, Eiman helps raise awareness among women about gender-based violence, available support services, and access to their rights. Having experienced the transformative power of solidarity herself, she knows how meaningful it can be.

“I want to be a source of hope for other women who are going through difficult times,” she says. “Being able to help others, even in a small way, means a great deal to me. These workshops are truly vital for refugee women.”

With the support of the European Union through its Humanitarian Aid Operations, UNHCR Türkiye and its partners continue to help refugees and asylum-seekers access protection services, tailored assistance, psychosocial support, legal aid and information they need. In 2025 alone, UNHCR and its partners provided protection services to over 77,000 persons with specific needs, while over 10,000 benefitted from legal support. By connecting people with the services and information they need, these efforts help displaced people rebuild their lives, make informed decisions and contribute to stronger, more resilient communities.