What we do IN TÜRKİYE
At Save the Children Türkiye, we believe every child deserves a bright future. Since 2013, we have worked in Istanbul and Hatay to address the ongoing needs of children affected by the Syrian crisis. Our programs include provision of child protection assistance, early childhood education, psychosocial support, and livelihood support.
Following the devastating earthquakes of 2023, we expanded our efforts to reach to the hardest-hit provinces, including Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, Hatay, and Gaziantep.
During the emergency response, we delivered lifesaving supplies, rehabilitated schools, provided cash assistance and livelihoods training, and established safe spaces where children could play, learn, and heal. As of 2025, we continue our activities in Istanbul, Hatay, and Adıyaman.
Additionally, Türkiye remains home to over 4 million refugees, 1.7 million of whom lived in earthquake-affected areas and continue to face heightened vulnerabilities. Our ongoing programs are focused on supporting recovery, strengthening resilience, and ensuring that every child survive, learn, and be protected.
Empowering Communities, Amplifying Children's Voices, Driving Lasting Impact.
We focus enhancing access to quality education, supporting teachers, and fostering children’s meaningful participation toamplify the voices of children in every step. By addressing their needs and aspirations, we create solutions that are both impactful and sustainable. At the heart of our mission are integrity, ambition, accountability and collaboration, driving efforts lead to last longing impact and brighter future for children.
Partnering for Brighter Futures.
In partnership with the Government of Türkiye and local partners, we uphold children’s rights through meaningful collaboration and a commitment to the localization agenda. Together, we create pathways to brighter futures, ensuring that every child can thrive in safe and supportive environment
At Save the Children Türkiye, we are not just responding to the challenges of today; we are building hope for generations to come.
Through innovation, dedication, and partnerships, we are turning possibilities into realities, transforming lives and communities in meaningful ways.
Destroyed and damaged homes in the villages visited in Adiyaman by Save The Children's distribution team
Our impact BETWEEN FEBRUARY 2023 AND DECEMBER 2025 (Direct People Reached)
590,534
Total people reached including 335,214 children
46,736
Child Protection / Mental Health Psychosocial Support
95,493
Education
50,137
Food Security, Livelihoods
103,136
Shelter/NFI
242,537
Water, Sanitation, Hygiene
47,640
Cash Voucher Assistance
4,855
Nutrition
Özge Demiral / Save the Children Türkiye
After the earthquake in February 2023, 8 year old Helin*’s home in Adana, Türkiye was severely damaged. Helin* and her mother Reyhan* moved to a container city where they were give a home to live in whilst they rebuild their lives. Helin*’s education was interrupted by the earthquake and Reyhan fought hard to get her daughter back to school, as she feels that "for girls, education is essential.” At first, when schools reopened in the city centre it was difficult for Helin* to commute the long distance to school. But thanks to the Temporary Learning Centre opened by Save the Children within the container city, Helin can now safely walk to school, putting Reyhan*’s mind at ease. Helin* loves going to school and has made new friends. Reyhan* is working hard to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse, a dream which her daughter also shares for her own future. Ayşe Nur Gençalp / Save the Children Türkiye
Save the Children Türkiye recently organized a comprehensive Farmers Training program aimed at supporting farmers in the earthquake-affected regions. This initiative, led by our dedicated Livelihoods team, provided local farmers with essential knowledge on effective farming methods. Experienced agricultural engineers conducted the training, ensuring the participants gained valuable insights and practical skills to enhance their agricultural practices. Through this program, we strive to empower farmers, helping them to rebuild their livelihoods and contribute to the resilience and recovery of their communities. Özge Demiral / Save the Children Türkiye
Two Save The Children workers record the damage to Bedri*s home, post earthquake in Turkiye. Ayşe Nur Gençalp / Save the Children Türkiye
Zarifa, a 13-year-old girl from Syria, resides in the tent area of Maşuklu, Hatay, along with her mother, little sister, grandfather, grandmother, and aunts. Previously, they lived in a nearby neighborhood, but their home was damaged during the earthquake, forcing them to move. Currently, they all stay together in a tent, with a total of 9-10 relatives. Zarifa has big dreams, including traveling the world and helping those in need. She loves learning new things, going to school, learning new languages, reading books and also takes care of her personal space, cleanliness of where she lives. While the earthquake presented huge challenges for her and her family, she is now even more determined to help people in need. With the arrival of summer, cleanliness and hygiene have become even more important. She feels positive about the improvement in hygiene conditions where she is living. Previously, the tent area had a shared wooden toilet for all the residents, which caused Zarifa great discomfort and anxiety due to its uncleanliness and the high number of people using it. Thanks to the funding from the European Union (EU), Save the Children Türkiye built showers and latrines in the tent area in Maşuklu, Hatay, which provided increased comfort for Zarifa and her family and helped assuage their concerns about the health of the infants and elderly living in the area. Zarifa also appreciates that the residents in the area have taken responsibility for the cleanliness of the toilets and showers, taking turns to clean them. Save the Children, with the funding received from the EU, provided showers and latrines for men and women across d the earthquake-affected region in Türkiye. A total of 240 latrines, 60 showers and water tanks ranging from 500 to 5000 litres will be provided in the most rural areas to address the needs of those affected by the earthquake. Ayşe Nur Gençalp / Save the Children Türkiye
Save The Children are distributing a wide range of items, including Hygiene and Dignity Kits, as well as tarpaulins and blankets, across earthquake affected regions in Türkiye. John Owens/Save the Children
Anti-bullying Video Series
Save the Children Türkiye’s psychosocial support program consists of a wide range of multi-layered activities. These include establishing child-friendly and learning spaces, organizing art, sports, music and dance activities, individual psychosocial support sessions focused on practical skills, positive parenting sessions, and social-emotional learning workshops. In addition, group-based psychological support sessions—covering themes such as emotional regulation and preventing bullying—help children develop skills to cope with stress, improve communication, resolve conflicts without violence, and build healthy friendships. This process is further supported through customized interventions designed to strengthen parent–child interaction.
The videos you will watch via this link have been prepared to provide comprehensive and inclusive information about bullying.