Positive Living Association » ACCESS TO PROTECTION SERVICES BY KEY REFUGEE GROUPS

ACCESS TO PROTECTION SERVICES BY KEY REFUGEE GROUPS

The United Nations Population Fund  (UNFPA) intensified its humanitarian aid efforts for Syrian refugees since 2011 with regards to the ongoing civil war in Syria .

In the scope of the UN Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan called “3RP”, which has been approved by the Government of Turkey, UNFPA develops and implements humanitarian aid projects.

UNFPA identifies the needs of refugees, provides services for existing needs and takes care for the effective accessibility to service mechanism in protection areas.

In order to reduce the obstacles for key refugee populations in accessing the protection services, a joint project is launched by a cooperation of UNFPA , the Positive Living Association  and the Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association.

The project is financed by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations  (ECHO) and carried out between January 2018 and June 2019.

In addition to the services that are provided within the five different service units, further advocacy work is carried out aimed at strengthening the beneficiaries´ access to protection services outside the service units.

 PROTECTION MECHANISMS AND SERVICES

Within the scope of the project, there are three main protection mechanisms, namely Service Units, Outreach Work and aHotline.

Service Units

Service Units are places where protection activities for refugees will be executed directly.

In total, there are 5 services units, based in  Ankara, Denizli, Eskişehir and two in Istanbul. Within the service units, various activities such as the provision of information, awareness-raising events, case management and counseling are conducted for both individuals and groups.

If you need any of the services provided in the scope of the project, you can directly contact the Service Units.

Outreach work

Outreach workiscarried out in order to provide support services for the purpose of the project, mainly in areas where Service Units are not available or in areas where Service Units are not accessible.

Outreach workers reach out to key refugee groups, inform them about their work, identify  cases and make referrals to other relevant institutions.

Various project partners and cooperating institutions provide information about sexual and reproductive health and legal assistance  regarding international protection and access to diverse support mechanisms.

Furthermore, they offer capacity building and case management for victims of violence  and they provide guidance upon other required needs.

Hotline 

The hotline is established to reach beneficiaries in an extensive manner.

Through the hotline, you can get information about the services in the service units and you can report any problems.

 The hotline provides you with information and it may direct you to various other institutions that may be helpful for you.

You can reach the hotline 7 days a week, 24 hours per day by dialing 0850 888 0 539. 

You can call the hotline from anywhere in Turkey free of charge.

 

How Can I Benefit from the Services?

 I – Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)  

  • You can receive  individual information about sexual and reproductive health  and general health services or you can participate in group awareness events  (workshops, interviews, etc.) in the Service Units.
  • You can receive  individual information and counseling services about  HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in  the Service Units and through the Hotline, or you can join group awareness events (workshops, interviews, etc.) by going to  the Service Units.
  • You can seek support for referrals to relevant health units for testing, diagnosis and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
  • You can receive  individual information on the gender transition process  or you can join group awareness events  and ask for guidance and support when contacting  the relevant health units.
  • You can participate at  group awareness events on SRH and access general health services. You may ask for information, legal counseling and follow-up of cases if you face violations.
  • You can receive  information, get training and communication materials on SRH and general health issues.

II – Gender-Based Violence 

  • In the  Service Units, you can participate in  group awareness activities about basic human rights , access to justice, violence and about protection mechanisms. You can also get individual counseling.
  • You can receive information about violence, discrimination and abuse of rights.
  • If you have been exposed to violence and/or discrimination, you may seek psycho-social support, referrals to emergency medical support mechanisms or  psychological  support.
  • After having encountered violence, you can receive  legal counseling or assistance for other legal protection procedures. You can also be supported while being referred to security services and other protection mechanisms.
  • If you are exposed to violence, you may receive support for your case . The specific case management aims to protect the physical and mental integrity of victims. It therefore includes comprehensive assistance, follow-up and even post- violence support.
  • Counseling on security and protection,  legal support and guidance, as well as guidance to medical support services and psycho-social support  are provided.

You can ask for support by  going directly to the Service Units or calling the Hotline at:   0850 888 0 539

III –  International Protection

  • In the Service Units, you can participate in group awareness activities  on  International Protection and use the training and information materials.
  •  You can also get information from the hotline.
  • For registration, relocation and third country resettlement , you can request support for being referred to  the relevant institutions  (provincial immigration authorities, UNHCR, provincial security directorates, NGOs).
  • If you think you might be deported, or in case of urgent deportation, you can seek legal advice by calling the hotline.
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