European Union and UNICEF scale up child protection and winter support for refugee children in Turkey
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Ankara, August 15, 2016 –The European Commission has committed €8 million to enable UNICEF to scale up its humanitarian response for refugees in Turkey. Together with the support of other donors’ contributions the action aims to directly reach more than 140,000 children and adolescents.
UNICEF aims to identify and reach vulnerable and marginalized refugee families currently not in contact with social services and provide emergency support and care for most vulnerable children.This contribution will help strengthen the child protection capacity in both southeast and western Turkey. The intervention will include capacity building of front-line staff on screening and case management of child protection risks and violations, identification of children at risk and referral to specialized services and the distribution of a voucher card to help families meet their most critical and basic needs, such as hygiene materials, clothing and medicine.
Moreover, through the distribution of e-vouchers to most vulnerable families, the action will enable vulnerable refugee families to cover their basic needs during the winter months, according to their preferences.
Philippe Duamelle, UNICEF Representative in Turkey, thanking the EU for this important financial support, declared: “In all circumstances, priority should be given to the protection of children as they continue to pay the highest price in this protracted crisis. More than ever they require the help and solidarity of the international community. This contribution will allow us to scale up our assistance to refugee children in the areas of child protection and winter response together with our government and civil society partners”.
The conflict in Syria is in its sixth year, and millions have been forced to flee their homes. Turkey is now the largest host of refugees in the world, with over 2.7 million registered Syrian refugees as of May 2016, as well as around 300,000 non-Syrian asylum-seekers. More than half of Syrian refugees are children.
“The European Commission is committed to supporting the refugees in Turkey, especially children who are some of the most vulnerable. This new project is another important part of our humanitarian contribution.In partnership with UNICEF, our humanitarian aid programmes aim to lifesaving support to those who need it most”, explained Jane Lewis, Head of the European Commission’s humanitarian aid office in Ankara. “
The partnership between UNICEF and the EU reaches the most vulnerable refugee children to ensure their wellbeing and protection.
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About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.