The results of a new study by the organization Development Minds indicate that Afghan migrants in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, face difficulties accessing basic services such as education, health, and social support due to various reasons.
In Turkey, only Afghan migrants who possess a valid and active identification card or are under international protection can access these services.
The provision of education for Afghan asylum seekers is available at the primary level, but there are significant barriers at the secondary and university levels.
According to the study, many families, due to economic, cultural, and administrative reasons, do not send their children, especially girls, to school regularly.
The high cost of university entrance exams for foreigners and limited scholarship opportunities make access to higher education difficult for Afghan migrants.
Due to financial insecurity, many families prefer to push their children into labor rather than allow them to pursue education. Young boys often drop out of school and are driven toward informal jobs. Economic problems and social pressures for early marriage restrict Afghan migrant girls’ access to education.
The research indicates that most municipal and government services primarily cover Turkish citizens, and social support, such as cash or non-cash assistance, is not available for Afghan migrants. The reduction or complete cessation of humanitarian programs has exacerbated this problem.
The reduction of programs such as the distribution of stationery has made it more difficult for Afghan migrant children to continue their education.
Language barriers also negatively impact Afghan migrants’ access to essential services in Ankara. Many of them do not speak Turkish. According to the study, Syrian migrants have access to interpreters in government offices, hospitals, and other organizations, but Afghan migrants do not.
