Türkiye hosts an estimated 3.7 million Syrian refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled conflict in their country. While most refugees live in urban areas, approximately 60,000 Syrian refugees reside in camps located in southeastern Türkiye as of May 2024. Syrian refugees in camps are especially dependent on humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs given limited access to livelihood opportunities. Additionally, two earthquakes—each at least magnitude 7.5—struck central-southern Türkiye on February 6, 2023, followed by dozens of violent aftershocks. The earthquakes resulted in approximately 50,783 deaths and injury to more than 107,000 people in Türkiye, as well as widespread displacement and extensive damage to housing and public infrastructure.
In response to the ongoing needs of refugees and enduring effects of the February 2023 earthquakes, U.S. Ambassador Jeffry L. Flake issued a redeclaration of humanitarian need on January 30, 2024. In Fiscal Year 2024, the USAID/BHA provided approximately $6.2 million to humanitarian partners assisting earthquake-affected populations in Türkiye. USAID/BHA has supported emergency food assistance to camp-based refugees in Türkiye since 2012, and remains committed to supporting the Government of Türkiye and working with humanitarian partners to provide assistance to vulnerable communities.
