The Turkish authorities have announced a decrease in the number of Syrian refugees in Turkey by approximately 62,000 individuals over the past two months, bringing the total number to 3,226,141. According to the latest statistics from the Presidency of Immigration Administration, the total number of Syrians under “temporary protection” across various Turkish provinces now stands at 3,226,141. This marks a reduction from the last reported figure on October 22, which was 3,288,755 Syrians in Turkey, indicating a decrease of 62,000 since then.
Reports also suggest a decline of about 309,000 Syrians according to the latest statistics from the Turkish Presidency of Immigration and the statistics at the beginning of 2023.
The Syrian refugee crisis, which began in March 2011 due to a violent government crackdown on public demonstrations, has become one of the largest and most complex humanitarian crises of our time. As of 2023, over 15.3 million people in Syria require emergency aid, accounting for 70 percent of the country’s population. The crisis has forced millions of Syrians to flee their homes, with approximately 5.5 million refugees and asylum-seekers living in neighboring countries like Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt. Turkey alone hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees, estimated at around 3.6 million.
The situation of Syrian refugees is characterized by various challenges, including protracted displacement, economic decline, and the impact of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Over 90% of Syrians in Syria live below the poverty line, and an estimated 12.1 million people are food insecure due to economic crises. Syrian refugees living in neighboring countries are also facing severe economic hardships. For instance, over 90% of Syrian refugees in Lebanon are reliant on humanitarian assistance to survive, and a significant number of refugee households in Jordan are in debt.
The Syrian children are among the most affected, with many experiencing displacement, diseases, malnutrition, interrupted education, child labor, and psychological trauma. More than two million Syrian children are out of school, and many are at risk of dropping out.
International organizations like the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and World Vision have been actively involved in providing support to Syrian refugees. Their efforts include providing shelter, lifesaving supplies, clean water, medical care, and education. They also focus on addressing the long-term needs of children and families affected by the crisis.