Gov't to form Refugee Ministry in response to rising number of refugees


After over four years of hosting refugees, Turkey, which has currently taken in more than 2 million people escaping war, is to establish a Refugee Ministry that plans on carrying out the administration of displaced people in a single institution.According to the plan, reportedly made by the Development Ministry, the projected ministry will handle the application of policies and strategies for the migration issue, while also trying to remove several shortcomings in the coordination of the refugees' entrances and exits.It has also been reported that all institutions and foundations working on the refugee issue will be gathered under the same umbrella, namely the Directorate General of Migration Management, which was founded in 2013 and currently works under the Interior Ministry administration and the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) of the Prime Ministry. AFAD has been a consistent and active source of help during the refugee crisis and has been noted for its successful work in responding to the flow of Syrian refugees. The institution provides temporary protection for refugees, along with 25 camps constructed in 10 different cities with 260,000 people within them.Last May, the institution also received a public service award from the United Nations. 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.Another important institution regarding the refugee issue, the Directorate General of Migration Management, also has organizations in 148 districts in 81 different cities.The international community has been slow in providing help to Turkey over the issue, only granting $418 million. The country has spent more than $ 7.6 billion on its own so far. Turkey also hosts more Syrian refugees than any other country.