Say Yes, Autumn 2002: Can We Bank on Your Support?

UNICEF has been active in Turkey since 1951 when our first mission was to deliver free milk to schools. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the focus of our activities has since evolved into a more holistic approach to child survival, development and protection. We are working with the Turkish Government to ensure that projects and services to benefit children reflect their needs as whole beings whose survival, growth, psychosocial and cognitive development are intertwined and interdependent.

Significant progress has been made over the past decade in Turkey such as:

• a dramatic fall in MMR and IMR;
• a reduction in child labour of 50%;
• the extension of compulsory education from five to eight years which resulted in a 30% increase in school enrolment when it was introduced;
• polio-free certification for Turkey in 2002 after three polio-free years.

The challenge remains to sustain this rate of progress and go still further. We are committed to ensuring the best for children at all stages of their development. Six of our unfunded programmes and projects are outlined below.

Your support is vital to the success of these and future projects by UNICEF in Turkey

In order to guarantee basic rights for all of Turkey’s children, UNICEF not only depends on the support of Governments and UNICEF National Committees but also the support of individuals and private organisations.

To make a donation, use the Support Us link at the foot of this page or, if you prefer, telephone or write to the Turkish National Committee for UNICEF Offices in Ankara or İstanbul (see the Contact Us link also at the foot of the page). You can also order a copy of our Donor Funding Catalogue from the UNICEF Turkey Country Office.

The Campaign for Girls’ Education

Ensuring education for all

Gender gaps in education in Turkey are significant, particularly in eastern Anatolia and the southeast. Although education is free, books, uniforms and materials cost. Many families suffering severe economic hardship need the contribution from a child’s labour. When both parents work, older children, usually girls, have to look after the younger ones.

Girls’ education is traditionally seen to be unimportant and many families are reluctant to send their daughters to co-educational schools or schools which are a long distance away once they reach puberty. This project aims to raise awareness of the importance of education for girls and to convince parents to send their daughters to school.

Total cost over three years US$320,000

The Family and Child Training Programme (FACT)

Ensuring every child’s right to reach their full potential

Effective childcare practices are vital to a child’s healthy development. The child may be physically healthy and socially and mentally alert only if it’s development is ensured at home, in the neighbourhood and at school.

The child must be regarded holistically -- as a whole being. Childcare services tend to be delivered on sectoral lines such as welfare, health, education and social protection. Cooperation between sectors is essential if gaps in services and duplication of work are to be avoided and resources maximised.

Total cost US$1,100,000

Breastfeeding Support

The best start in life for every child

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways of preventing infant mortality and it should be initiated immediately after birth.

With all the nutrients a baby needs to stay healthy and grow, breastmilk is the ideal food for the first six months of life, protecting it from diarrhœa and acute respiratory infections (the main causes of infant death) and stimulating the immune system. It contains hundreds of health enhancing antibodies and enzymes which make the child less prone to childhood allergies, cancers, gastrointestinal illnesses, pneumonia, asthma, diabetes and infections which could damage their hearing. Breastfed children tend to have higher IQs and studies show that it promotes neurological development.

Yearly cost US$750,000

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

Ensuring children are first to be protected

Since 1950, there have been nineteen earthquakes in Turkey measuring over 7 on the Richter Scale (RS). In 1999, the devastation caused by the earthquakes in the Marmara region highlighted the need for systems which could cope with such emergencies and minimise their after effects. In anticipation of another such emergency, the Turkish Emergency Management Administration was established to make the necessary preparations for effective countrywide management and coordination of search, rescue and aid activities in the aftermath.

The project aims to support and build on Government initiatives to develop and implement an Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Programme.

Yearly cost US$1,100,000

Immunisation Programme

Protection against disease for every child

In Turkey, immunisation rates for Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Measles are all below regional level. These diseases can easily kill children yet all are preventable with immunisation.

The programme aims to vaccinate 90% of babies under one year old and eliminate Measles, the leading cause of preventable childhood deaths worldwide. Of all health interventions, measles immunisation saves more lives per unit cost.

Although Turkey is now polio-free, it is critical that vaccination against the disease continues since the virus is still a potential threat from neighbouring countries. It is equally vital to use this experience against other preventable diseases.

Total cost US$5,495,000

Protection of Children Living and/or Working on the Streets and Child Labourers

Protecting the rights of every child

The phenomenon of children living and/or working on the streets goes well beyond economic privation.

The number of children living and working on the streets has markedly increased in recent years. Some run away from abusive homes only to find themselves in an even more abusive environment. Many who work, or are forced to work on the streets, live with their families. Exposure to disease, malnutrition and physical and sexual abuse is a major risk. Most fall out of the education system and many of them are forced to resort to criminal activities in order to survive.

The project aims to provide a safe environment for such children and to equip them with the skills necessary to reintegrate into society.

Total cost US$91,500

Please remember that none of these activities would be possible without your much needed support.

Along with our partners in Turkey, UNICEF is determined to secure a bright future for all Turkish children.

Every penny, each red cent -- her kuruş -- is appreciated and UNICEF Turkey will make sure that your contribution counts in our mission to confront and address the issues facing Turkish children in the twenty-first century. With the highest number of annual births in Europe, the need to ensure that basic health, welfare and education services are maintained for future generations has never been more pressing.

Your generosity will empower us to meet that need.

Please make a donation now using the Support Us link at the foot of this page. If you prefer, telephone or write to the Turkish National Committee for UNICEF Offices in Ankara or İstanbul using the Contact Us link also at the foot of this page. For more information about unfunded UNICEF programmes and projects in Turkey, write to us for a copy of our Donor Funding Catalogue.

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