Page 36 - Syrians in Türkiye - Special Report

GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF TÜRKİYE THE OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTION

During the dates of January 16-
18, 2017, field visits to Gaziantep,
Kahramanmaraş, and Kilis were held
by Chief Ombudsman Mr. Şeref
Malkoç, Ombudsman Ms. Celile
Özlem Tunçak, and the accompanying
delegation, during which interviews
were conducted with the governors
and metropolitan mayors of
Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, and Kilis.
In addition, well-attended meetings
were organized in each province to
include all public institutions and
organizations involved in work and
operations related to Syrians so that
their evaluations and possible solutions
were distinctly heard. During these
visits, a wide range of NGO meetings
were also held in which invited NGOs
working on the Syrians in each
province were invited. During these
visits, representatives from NGOs
working with Syrians in each province
were invited to large participatory meetings.

Gaziantep Nizip 2, Kahramanmaraş, and Kilis Öncüpınar container cities were
visited and necessary information was obtained from the local administrative supervisor
or camp manager, the services offered were examined on-site, and interviews were held
with Syrians in the camps.

On February 2, 2017, Ombudsman Ms. Celile Özlem Tunçak, Ombudsman Mr.
Hüseyin Yürük, and the accompanying delegation organized a field visit to Sultanbeyli
Municipality, which is the district that hosts the largest Syrian population on the
Anatolian side of Istanbul province. Following meetings with the mayor and officials
of Sultanbeyli, the delegation visited the Refugees and Asylum Seekers Aid and
Solidarity Association, which is also supported by the Sultanbeyli Municipality and
provides services to Syrians under temporary protection in many areas, including
education, rehabilitation, healthcare, social assistance, vocational education, workforce
participation support, and legal counsel. The DGMM coordination unit for the

36 SYRIANS IN TÜRKİYE SPECIAL REPORT