ARSA 12 Yılda Neler Başardı? (EN)

A Brief Background 

Afghan Refugee Solidarity Association (ARSA) volunteer activities for refugees in Turkey began in 2009. Later it was decided that these activities must be done formally, finally, in 2014, our NGO was formally registered in the Turkish government.

ARSA has been providing social and legal support for the refugees and asylum-seekers in reaching their rights and services; psychosocial support and organizing numerous courses and activities for the purposes of integrating them into social life since its establishment and currently continues its activities in 3 offices (Kayseri, Van, and Konya) and voluntarily actives in more than 60 cities around Turkey.

Since 2012, we have been the connection between UNHCR and Afghan refugees all over Turkey. Afghan refugees in different provinces, choose a volunteers representative among them. The representative informs us about all emergency situations in the city. We share the information about emergency and urgent cases with UNHCR and other Organizations or governments.

With the help of this volunteer’s network among 60 cities and 370 volunteers inside Turkey, we can easily support new arrival refugees by translating, registration in Turkish immigration office, school, hospital, finding jobs, house, activities like Turkish language course, skilled course with the support of the local organization, cultural social and sports activities.

 

A community-based organization with volunteers resource

ARSA is one of the founding members of Global Refugee Led Network MENA Region, one of the founders of Afghan Refugees Experts in Europe, and one of the founding members of Turkish Refugee Council (Refugee Information and Support Point) which is working together with several institutes that are active in the area of asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants.

The ARSA, being a community-based organization itself and hence, maintaining active and trust-based relationships with the members of communities and being involved in advocacy terms vis-à-vis the key service providers, is in a good position to identify the main gaps and areas in need of support that largely inform the project idea.

What We're Up To?

ARSA’s Mission is to create a place where all asylum seekers/ refugees can enjoy their fundamental rights and services and live in a harmony with the host community. ARSA strives for creating a safe place and ensuring well-being for asylum seekers and refugees.

Who We Serve?

Our primary beneficiaries are nonprofits. We are serving refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, and local people.

Where do We operate?

We currently operate in 3 cities in Turkey. Kayseri as the main office, Konya and Van provinces and are working with our supporters, partners and through our other programs beyond our 3 cities on a limited basis. We are creating a network of refugees/ asylum seekers and local peoples around Turkey.

 

Achievements of the Past 12 Years

Increased Client Base

  • Tripled the number of suporters we serve on an annual basis
  • Services in 3 provinces inside Turkey
  • Services for all rfugees and local community
  • Started a new Employment Services Department with specific employment focus
  • Increased the number of programs, acitivities and services to 187 in the last 12 years
  • Started customized integration programs for refugees women and children

Expanded Partnerships

  • Collaborated with more than 30 government and community organizations
  • Increased support for community partners by raising
  • Created “Refugee Council of Turkey” with the cooperation of 20 other local NGOs
  • Founding members of Global Refugee Led Network MENA Region,
  • One of the founders of Afghan Refugees Experts in Europe

Strengthened our Capacity

  • More than doubled our office space in Kayseri city,
  • Provided services for more than 63 thousand refugees/asylum seekers and locals
  • Contributed 30,000 volunteer hours through 950 volunteers in the last 12 years
  • Achieved enough capacity in the Human Resources and Information Technology areas
  • Provided more than 60 people for interviews with media and research organizations
  • Provided more than 30 workshops, seminars, and training for ARS

Increased Visibility Locally, Nationally, and Internationally

  • Conducted 80 media interviews/promotions of our activities
  • Produced 2 translated book “Asylum seekers and illegal migration inside Turkey” that is available in our website and print.
  • Presented at national and international conferences
  • Created websites that provide information about ARSA and important information for refugees in Turkey (www.arsa.org.tr)
  • Created social media Which has the most followers among the other refugee network - 300 thousand followers just on Facebook
  • Created a channel for direct question and live answers which are volunteer consultations about the law and living situation of refugees/asylum seekers in Turkey.

ARSA's yearly activities by beneficiaries

  • 2009: 324 people
  • 2010: 498 people
  • 2011: 880 people
  • 2012: 2379 people
  • 2013: 1880 people
  • 2014: 2698 people
  • 2015: 3504 people
  • 2016: 3918 people
  • 2017: 4510 people
  • 2018: 11043 people
  • 2019: 13094 people
  • 2020: 24595 people

KINDS OF ACTIVITIES 2009-2020

  • TOTAL OF 187 ACTIVITIES
  • Education: 68
  • Livelihood: 40
  • Protection: 32
  • Health: 7
  • Cash:4
  • Social: 31
  • Shelter:5

  • AWARDS

Dr. Zakira Hekmat is the ARSA Director and the Voice President of the Turkish Refugee Council.

Zakira believes the war has scarred her country so deeply that everyone in society needs to play their role in uplifting one another and the disadvantaged. Zakira believes she is at the beginning of her journey: Society needs thousands of girls like her to work for bigger causes in serving their communities.

In 2020 Dr. Zakira Hekmat, director of ARSA  is awarded as HasNa’s 2020 Peacebuilders of the Year. Based on her commitment to dismantling barriers to positive peace, giving voice to the underserved, and striving to improve inter-communal relations, Zakia has demonstrated the skill, resolve, and passion that is required to overcome the myriad challenges confronted by those affected by conflict, violence, and injustice.

https://hasna.org/hasnas-2020-peacebuilders-of-the-year/zakira-hekmat/

In 2021 she won the award given on behalf of Angela Burdett-Coutts by İGAM- the first refugees activist award in Turkey.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1875561/middle-east

Dr. ZAKİRA HEKMAT's Award ceremony speech;

https://igamder.org/TR/igam/dr-zakira-hekmat-dunya-da-ulkem-de-barisa-susadi

Now in August 2021, Dr. Zakira Hekmat was awarded by Supreme Master Ching Hai as a “Shining World Compassion Award” – Taiwan. We share the happiness and pride of becoming one among the dozen of people in the world who receive this award. These respectful awards are the best motivational tools for everyone in our team who keeps going.

Communication with ARSA:

 

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