Turkey is home to 3.4M Syrian refugees

Re Syrian refugees caught in limbo, Jan 2 Information in this article regarding the Syrian refugees in Turkey needs factual corrections.

Turkey hosts more than 3.4 million Syrian refugees as of Jan. 4, 230,000 of who stay in 21 camps. More than $30 billion has been spent from Turkey’s own budget.

Furthermore, Syrian refugees are provided free health care, public education, legal work permits and social benefits.

During the past six years, more than 276,000 Syrian babies were born in Turkey. More than 32 million were treated at health centres and hospitals and more than one million medical procedures have been performed.

Currently, more than 620,000 of the 976,000 school-aged Syrian children in Turkey are enrolled in public schools. Another 17,000 Syrian students are attending Turkish universities, 4,000 of whom are provided scholarships.

The non-refoulement principle is strictly implemented by Turkey in accordance with UN obligations.

Voluntary repatriation of Syrian refugees in safety and dignity is organized only in full co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Turkey works hard in all platforms to bring sustainable peace and stability to Syria, where Syrians will live in peace and dignity. Erdeniz Sen, Turkish Consul General, Toronto