Hira had no identity, Abdullah and Emir were exhausted from working in precarious jobs. Halid had a housing problem; Naim needed warmth and access to food, Ayşe needed rest... With the support of the European Union and our partner DKH, we are working to support the lives of hundreds of people like them in exactly the way they need.
Disasters, war, and migration make it difficult not only to find shelter but also to access essential services such as identity, health, livelihoods, and a dignified life. Support To Life's project “Strengthening Protection, Resilience, and Advocacy Initiatives in Türkiye,” carried out with the financial support of the European Union and the strategic partnership of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, offers people not only support but also a path to their rights, especially in the disaster zone, where this vulnerability is most deeply felt. Kahramanmaraş, which is still feeling the effects of the earthquake, is one of the provinces we support within the scope of the project. Both support and access to rights find concrete expression in many life stories, from Hira to Abdullah and Emir, from Naim to Halid and Ayşe*.
An Identity, A Future: Hira
Hira (34), who was born with an orthopedic disability, took care of her family in Aleppo throughout the war. When she came to Türkiye after the earthquake, thinking she would have easier access to healthcare, neither she nor her baby, who was born in Türkiye, could access healthcare services because she had no identity. Religious marriage, missing documents, and complicated procedures caused Hira to hit an invisible wall.
The awareness sessions organised by Support To Life in the Pazarcık container city were the turning point in this story. “I told all the associations there about my identity problem, but only Support To Life took an interest. They referred me to social services,” Hira explains.
Thanks to our teams' support in case management and legal access processes, Hira's baby was issued an identity document. Today, her baby can get vaccinated and access healthcare services. The humanitarian residence application made for Hira is opening the door to permanent security.
Masculinity Sessions: Abdullah and Emir
Abdullah (32) and Emir (31) are two fathers with large families who have been living in Türkiye for 14 years. After the earthquake, they can only find precarious, day-to-day work. They complain about the limited job opportunities in Kahramanmaraş; they cannot look for work in other cities due to residency restrictions.
The Masculinity Studies and Legal Rights Sessions, which they attended through their wives, provided them with information about their right to work, travel permits, and mechanisms for reporting violence. “We learned our rights, but sometimes knowing is not enough,” says Abdullah. Emir adds, “There are issues like travel permits, healthcare services, and bullying our children face at school. It was good to learn about our rights regarding violence here; we learned our rights. But we also need legal support.” At this point, the project serves not only as awareness-raising but also as a doorway to requesting legal support.
From Tent to Hope: Halid
In Karahasan Village, 32 people, including 17 children, live in an area with seven tents. One of them is Halid.
Halid, one of the refugees from Kobane, like everyone else living in the tent area, has been unable to apply for a container due to identity and residency issues. “We are still living in tents. We have no other choice,” he says.
Halid, who has been living in Türkiye for 14 years, has been working without security for years due to residency issues. After contacting the Support To Life teams, he received legal support during the process of officially marrying his wife. Thanks to this, he was able to transfer his residency to Kahramanmaraş through his wife, who has an ID, and his children were also issued IDs.
The housing support, household items, and livelihood support provided under the project opened a new chapter in Halid's life. Halid, whose main job is tailoring, plans to revive his profession with the sewing machine he received today and to attend vocational courses after language training.
Breathing Space with Cash Assistance: Naim
Naim (38) has been visually impaired since childhood. He struggles to survive with his family of four, who have no income. The one-time cash assistance provided under our project enabled them to meet their basic needs before winter. Everything purchased with cash support is a basic necessity; “I buy firewood. I had a debt to my landlord, so I pay that. I pay the bills, and there's only a small amount left for food. I don't know if I'll be able to buy food again for the rest of the month.”
Thanks to the comprehensive protection support we provided to Naim, he received a monthly allowance from Social Services. Through a connection established with an association, they also have access to a daily hot meal service. His wife was referred to health services; the Hayata Destek psychologist continues to support his sons.
Making Space for Yourself: Ayşe
Ayşe, a 32-year-old mother of five who has been living in Turkey for 12 years, is a participant in Hayata Destek's support group sessions. At the suggestion of the participants, they are painting a cup for themselves and their spouses in today's session. Ayşe says that this support group session is the only time during the week when she can create space for herself. “I return home feeling energised after these sessions,” she says.
The bonds formed around a table where cups are painted are not just an activity for Ayşe; they mean feeling good about herself.
In the earthquake zone, we strive to provide lasting and sustainable support to our clients by bringing together legal support, psychological and psychosocial support, cash support, and advocacy.
Together, we make access to rights possible.
*Beneficiaries' names have been changed to protect their personal rights.
Gözde Kazaz
Support To Life Communications Expert / Kahramanmaraş
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