ANKARA, JUNE 22: Turkey is seeking for help and financial aid from the international community to enable it to continue supporting Syrian refugees in its country who are estimated to be 3.05 million people.
According to the Republic of Turkey Prime Minister Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency , the Turkish Government has spending USD5 billion every year to help refugees.
AFAD President, Mehmet Halis Bilden said, since the civil war in Syria in 2011, Turkey has has spent RM25 billion to support refugees.
“However, international contribution of about USD526 million to Turkey is considered small compared the amount allocated by this country,” he said as quoted by Bernama.
Bilden said, the United Nations (UN), the Red Cross Society and the International Red Crescent as well as the European Union (EU) are among the countries that contribute to Turkey.
He added that the EU had promised to contribute 4 billion but so far Turkey as only received 811 million.
Meanwhile, the Director General of General Press and Information Directorate, Mehmet Akarca said Turkey needs international help as the country has spent a huge amount of money to help refugees.
Menurut AFAD, kira-kira 4.9 juta pelarian Syria meninggalkan negara mereka sejak enam tahun lepas dan Turki menjadi tuan rumah kepada sebahagian besar daripada mereka, diikuti Lubnan (1.01 juta), Jordan (656,000), Iraq (233,000) dan Mesir (113,000).
“We hope that Turkey will not be the only one to bear this burden, we hope other countries will also help with these refugees,” he said.
According to AFAD, 4.9 million Syrian refugees have fled their country since the last six years and Turkey has been home to most of them, followed by Lebanon (1.01 million), Jordan (656,000), Iraq (233,000) and Egypt (113,000).
Malaysia has also expressed its commitment to receive 3,000 Syrian immigrants on humanitarian basis.
In response to questions from Malaysian reporters on how Malaysia can share Tukish’s expertise in handling refugees, Bilden suggested that we send a team to their country to study and observe.
“We are prepared to share our expertise with Malaysia and they can send a special team here,” he said.