top of page

Case Study: Why can't Syrian refugees in Turkey access key resources provided by the Turkish Government? 

Context

For this 12-month Fulbright-Hays funded research study I approached Syrian refugees as the "users" of available government and humanitarian services. Services for refugees were supported by 7 billion euros of Europan Union funding. Syrian refugees' questions framed as "problems" centered the study.

​

Problem

  • Syrian refugees navigated Turkish government bureaucracy to obtain key resources such as health care and humanitarian aid

  • Most were not able to access either of these resources

  • The general hypothesis by interviewers was that racism against Syrians was the primary obstacle to obtaining resources

​

Method

  • Qualitative interviews with 100 Syrian refugees conducted in their homes

  • Interviews with 20 Turkish experts, including doctors and humanitarian workers

  • Research conducted in Turkish, Arabic, and English

  • Focused on three different neighborhoods and a diversity of socioeconomic backgrounds

  • Re-framed refugees' hypothesis to challenge it and ask deeper questions about their own life circumstances

  • Followed the Syrian refugee "user journey" to obtain resources from local and national institutions. The journey started with a basic internet search, to conversations with neighbors, to visits to government offices, and the submission of applications for resources

  • Compared the narrative of refugees of different socioeconomic classes, educational background, and neighborhoods

  • Interviewed refugees of different language abilities, such as Turkish speakers and non-Turkish speakers

  • Evaluated Turkish government websites for quality of content and quality of translation (if any) to Arabic

  • Interviewed Turkish experts

  • Conducted a literature review

  • Coded the interviews

  • Analyzed the data across themes

  • Produced a 265-page dissertation

​

Findings

  • Racism was a factor, but other factors contributed to obstacles for refugees

  • A major factor was a lack of Turkish language abilities amongst Syrians

  • The Turkish government did not translate key websites into Arabic, and did not offer enough translators for medical and other services. This prevented access and contributed to mistrust and misunderstandings, as well as allegations of racism

  • Humanitarian aid was distributed by local governments, which did not follow standard protocols. Racism against Syrian refugees was well documented at the local levels of government, posting an obstacle to obtaining resources

  • Information about how to obtain resources largely traveled through rumor. Misinformation was widespread

​

Recommendations

  • The Turkish government should make a concerted effort to translate their websites into Arabic and provide translators in medical contexts

  • Humanitarian programs should employ Syrians to serve the refugee population

  • Rumors should be challenged by providing clear, accurate instructions for accessing aid

  • A hotline should be established in Arabic for Syrians to report allegations of discrimination

bottom of page