Türkiye: Aid for children to combat the long-term effects of the earthquake

In southern Turkey, the Terre des Hommes partner organization “Kirkayak Kültür” helps refugee children and families from the Dom and Abdal groups.

Fatma Coşkun Caymaz coordinates the aid programs of the human rights organization »Kirkayak Kültür« in the area surrounding Gaziantep – the city where the earthquake in February 2023 was particularly devastating, 70 kilometers from the epicenter.

Committed citizens of Gaziantep founded Kirkayak Kültür in 2011. Their goal has always been to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged groups and protect their rights. These include the Dom and Abdal families, hundreds of thousands of whom live in the Kurdish regions of southeastern Turkey, and people from Syria fleeing the civil war in the neighboring country.

Even before the earthquake, the situation was anything but easy: refugees and migrants are stigmatized, socially and economically marginalized, and live in poverty. Many children in the Dom and Abdal communities have to do child labor to support their families. "Reading, going to school, learning a trade – these things are viewed with skepticism in the Dom and Abdal communities," reports Fatma.

When the earthquake struck in February 2023, it hit those already marginalized in society particularly hard. Fatma and her colleagues provided emergency relief, distributing food and arranging emergency shelter. The number of people needing help exceeded the organization's resources—and still does. "Many families don't have a regular income. Right now, that means they often can't even get the bare necessities." In this situation, a few weeks after the earthquake, Kirkayak Kültür began focusing on supporting women and children: food cards, baby food, diapers, and hygiene products. The organization was able to help approximately 2,500 families.

Kirkayak Kültür continues to work diligently towards its long-term goal of sustainably improving the living conditions and legal rights of children. The team reached a significant milestone in January 2024: a scholarship program now enables more children from particularly disadvantaged families to attend school. Fatma and her colleagues are certain that education can be the key to a better future for these children

"To advocate for disadvantaged children, women, and families in general, so that they can lead a life of dignity... Looking back, that feels really good. But what makes me most proud is that more children are now attending school. With our education project, we have begun to create dreams for children."