Türkiye

The Republic of Türkiye has benefited from continuous economic growth over the past two decades. 

Investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and social assistance have led to significant progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite this, an economic downturn combined with inflation means that almost a third of Turkish people still live below the national poverty line and that refugees continue to need social assistance for their survival.

Türkiye is among the leading refugee-hosting countries in the world, with over 3.4 million people seeking shelter. Half of these are children. Most live in cities and villages throughout the country. 

The Government of Türkiye operates seven camps in the southeast of the country, which host 55,000 of the most vulnerable refugees. 

In February 2023, devastating earthquakes struck Türkiye and Syria, in one of the region’s deadliest disasters in 100 years. A total of 13.5 million people in 11 provinces were affected in Türkiye, including 2 million refugees. 

The World Food Programme (WFP) reached 1.6 million people with hot meals, family food packages, and ready-to-eat rations in the immediate aftermath. These emergency response activities were followed by early-recovery efforts that reached an additional 600,000 people with cash assistance (e-vouchers and cash). 

As the food security situation stabilized, and in line with changing government priorities, WFP transitioned from emergency to recovery efforts in August 2023. 

WFP's work in Türkiye also includes helping refugees in camps to meet their basic needs, and providing services to humanitarian and development partners.