ISTANBUL, Turkey — As the Syrian Civil War drags on in its fourth year, millions of Syrians remain displaced. Hosting approximately half of the refugees that have fled the conflict — an estimated 1.6 million migrants — Turkey has taken on a large portion of the burden created by the crisis. However, Turkey’s open door policy along with economic problems concerning a drop in commodities prices worldwide has strained the country’s ability to accommodate the refugees.
Nevertheless, amid a weak international response to the burgeoning crisis, Turkey has chosen to issue new regulations providing new and improved statuses for Syrian refugees. The regulations have provided secure legal status in the country, demonstrating Turkey’s commitment to the refugees as the refugees’ stay begins to become one of permanence.
Previously, Turkey had labeled the refugees as guests under a poorly defined temporary protection measure. Refugees filled 22 refugee camps. With its refugee camps operating at full capacity, 85 percent of the refugees have flocked to urban centers looking for jobs and more permanent living arrangements.
Now with the new legal status, refugees will be given new identification cards allowing them to access basic services including health care and education.
However, the new measures do stop short of granting actual refugee status, which would grant the displaced with a broader set of benefits, including housing, public aid and other social services. Despite this promising regulation, Turkish labor laws restrict Syrian refugees from working, exposing many Syrians to exploitation and rendering the majority impoverished.
Another proposal was recently submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval that would allow refugees to apply for conditional work permits.
While these new developments are promising for Syrian refugees, Turkey’s public has become increasingly discontent with the refugees. Increased levels of crime and unemployment have stricken the areas with refugees and that is notwithstanding the job competition that would emerge if the work proposal were approved. In the 2014 Transatlantic Survey, more than two-thirds of Turks support more restrictive policies regarding the refugees.
Nevertheless, Turkey has still done much more than the majority of the international community. Syria’s neighboring countries have absorbed much of the strain, as the international response to the crisis remains tepid. Along with Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq have taken in 97 percent of the Syrian refugees, roughly 3.8 million people.
Since the start of the war, less than 191,000 Syrians have been accepted for resettlement outside of the region. Furthermore, even though 100,000 additional Syrians were offered shelter and support from the international community, that number is far too low to make a real impact on the refugee situation.
Moreover, the weak international response combined with the overstrained surrounding region has forced many Syrians to find any way to escape the crisis. More and more refugees have attempted to reach parts of Europe through illegal and overwhelmingly dangerous methods. In the past six months, increased numbers of Syrians have attempted to reach Europe through boats on the Mediterranean.
However, even with a more responsive international reaction, the only true solution to the issue would be the end of the conflict.
– William Ying
Sources: New York Times 1, New York Times 2, New York Times 3, Wall Street Journal, The Guardian 1, The Guardian 2
Photo: The Atlantic