Protection Needs Of Refugees With Disabilities In Turkey Report

Some summary findings of the report are as follows:

• An estimated 12 million of the 82.4 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide by the end of 2020 are persons with disabilities.
• The need to meet the needs of refugees with disabilities, whose population is estimated to reach one and a half million, and to develop inclusive strategies is increasing.
• Poverty is a common problem for refugees with disabilities in Turkey; the monthly household income of the majority is below the net minimum wage in the country. Disabled people have difficulty in meeting even their most basic needs.
• The international community should take a more proactive approach to support countries with large refugee populations, such as Turkey, to overcome difficulties in accessing protection and services for all who need it, especially for the most vulnerable groups such as refugees with disabilities.
• The international community prioritizes and improves resettlement opportunities for refugees with disabilities; is vital to creating a more inclusive global refugee protection framework.
• Existing capacity should be supported and strengthened to improve access to education.
• Existing capacity should be supported and strengthened to improve access of refugees with disabilities to special services for people with disabilities, such as health services, social services, rehabilitation services.
• Transport support should be provided to access essential services.
• Inclusive strategies and policies that expand the scope of protection for refugees with disabilities living in Turkey should be established and implemented.
• The language barrier creates a significant challenge for refugees with disabilities to access all mainstream services and employment.