13.01.2022
The research report “Protection Needs of Refugees with Disabilities in Turkey” funded by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in partnership with the Research Centre on Asylum and Migration (IGAM), Afghan Refugees Solidarity Association (ARSA), and the Association for Solidarity with Syrian Refugees in İzmir (SMDD) has been published.
Some of findings of the report are as follows:
- At the end of 2020, an estimated 12 million of the world’s 82.4 million forcibly displaced people were people with disabilities.
- With an estimated population of half a million, there is a mounting need for addressing the needs of refugees with disabilities and developing inclusive strategies.
- Poverty is a common problem of the refugees with disabilities in Turkey; most of them have a monthly household income below the national net minimum wage. They are having hardship in meeting even the most basic needs.
- The international community should take a more proactive approach in supporting major refugee-hosting countries like Turkey to mitigate protection and service access challenges for all those in need, particularly for the refugees with disabilities.
- The international community should prioritize and increase resettlement for refugees with disabilities. This would be a vital step towards creating a more inclusive global refugee protection framework.
- Authorities should support and strengthen the capacity for improved access of refugees with disabilities in education.
- Authorities should support and strengthen the capacity for improved access of refugees with disabilities in healthcare, social services, as well as specialized services for people with disabilities, including rehabilitation services.
- Transportation assistance should be provided in order to facilitate access to essential services.
- Inclusive strategies and policies that expand the scope of protection for refugees with disabilities living in Turkey should be formulated and implemented.
- The language barrier is a major challenge for refugees with disabilities in accessing all mainstream services and employment.
Please click here for the Turkish report.
Please click here for the English report.
