Number of Syrian refugees exceeds 16.000 in Turkey

The number of Syrians who have fled the ongoing violence in their country and sought refuge in Turkey has reached 16,446, according to data released on Monday by the Prime Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD). Turkey has established tent cities in the southern provinces, among them Hatay, Gaziantep and Kilis, to provide accommodation to the Syrians. "The number of Syrians who have come to our country to seek shelter so far is 29,301. The number of Syrians who have returned to Syria is 13,222. As of today, there are 14,329 Syrian refugees in Hatay, 1,159 in Gaziantep and 958 in Kilis, which make a total of 14,446," AFAD President Fuat Oktay said. Oktay also noted that the relevant state institutions are providing accommodation, food, healthcare, religious services, education, security, communication and translation services to the refugees in the tent cities in addition to organizing social activities for them. Oktay also said there are 2,150 Syrians who are of school age. Of these, 1,121 are girls and 1,029 are boys. They are taught at 68 classrooms established in the tent cities in Hatay. On Monday, Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) President Ahmet Lutfi Akar traveled to Hatay to inspect the tent cities in Hatay and the neighboring provinces. On his visit to Hatay Governor Mehmet Celalettin Lekesiz, Akar was briefed on the relief efforts for Syrian refugees in Hatay. Lekesiz told Akar that the transfer of Syrian refugees from Hatay to other provinces will gradually increase as of Tuesday. Akar said Kizilay will do its best to facilitate the state's job of hosting the Syrian refugees. "All the needs of the Syrians, who are our guests in Turkey, are met. We are trying to assist them in every way possible to help them forget that they are away from home," added Akar.