Community center for Syrians opened in Turkey’s Adana

By Bekir Omer Fansa

ADANA, Turkey

A community center for Syrian refugees was opened on Tuesday in southern province of Adana, hosting around 200,000 refugees.

The new community center, which was funded by German Red Cross and German government, would address the basic human needs of Syrians refugees in Turkey.

This is a part of a bigger program coordinated by Turkish Red Crescent and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to build community centers for refugees across Turkey.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Adana Deputy Governor Mustafa Aydin said that both public and non-governmental organizations have been providing all kind of humanitarian support to the refugees in the province.

Aydin said that this kind of centers would enhance knowledge and skills of refugees, increase their Turkish language skills and also provide opportunities for getting jobs in certain sectors.

He noted that the shelter center for refugees in Saricam town in the province has been renovated.

“6,136 containers were built. The center will host around 30,000 Syrians in upcoming days,” he added.

German Red Cross Project Coordinator Malte Langdgraff underlined the community center would play a significant role to integrate Syrians with local community.

The three-storied building will be used to teach Turkish, English and Arabic language courses as well as vocational training for both adults and children. Moreover, seminars, social cultural events and psychological support programs will also be held at the community center.

It is the ninth community center funded by German Red Cross following establishment of such centers in Sanliurfa, Istanbul, Konya, Ankara, Kilis, Bursa and Izmir.

Turkey, which shares a long border with Syria, now hosts some 3 million Syrian refugees -- more than any other country in the world.

Since the Syrian civil war began more than six years ago, Turkey has spent some $25 billion to aid and shelter Syrian refugees.