Syrians residing in Şanlıurfa's Suruç refugee camp earn a living as textile staff at a special tent established for them. The clothes they prepare are sold both locally and abroad. The camp opened a course on textile three months ago, attracting great interest from the refugees. Three tents were joined to create the workshop area where more than 60 refugees now work following training. "They receive training and work here at the same time. All trainees are paid for their work," Suruç Governor Abdullah Çiftçi said, adding that each day more than 1,000 items are produced. The clothes are sold to certain European countries through an intermediary firm.

Mehmethan Özdemir, the manager of Suruç Refugee Camp, said the workshop has around 100 textile machines. Refugees currently work in a 600-square-meter area. "Refugees can work here while earning at least some living. We receive the highest demand from women. The staff is satisfied with their work," Özdemir said.

Governor Çiftçi further said that all necessities of refugees are met at the camp. Fleeing from the conflicts in Kobani, Syrian refugees taking shelter in Turkey were settled in the Suruç refugee camp, which was established by the Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) a year ago. At present, 26,000 refugees live in the camp with the capacity to accommodate 35,000 people. The camp offers other professional courses to refugees as well.

In November, AFAD received a public service award from the United Nations for its substantial humanitarian aid to refugees. Turkey's refugee camps were praised for the services and care offered to Syrians who had to flee to neighboring countries during the ongoing civil war in their country, often ending up in overcrowded camps in Jordan and Lebanon. Although unable to house a large number of refugees, Turkey's camps are regarded as far better developed than their counterparts in other countries. The camps, or "sheltering centers," as AFAD calls them, include schools, clinics, grocery stores and playgrounds as well as many other services to cater to the inhabitants' needs.