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A new humanitarian initiative led by the Turkish Red Crescent and the Korean Red Cross is set to support Syrians under temporary protection and vulnerable host communities in Türkiye, combining protection services with mental health support and long-term resilience efforts.
The program, implemented by the Turkish Red Crescent with coordination from the Korean Red Cross and financial backing from the Republic of Korea, focuses on protection services, mental health and psychosocial support, and efforts to strengthen social cohesion.
The launch meeting in Ankara brought together senior officials and humanitarian representatives, including Turkish Red Crescent President Prof. Dr. Fatma Meric Yilmaz and South Korea’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Suk-jong Boo, as well as delegations from the Korean, British, and German Red Cross societies. During the ceremony, the parties signed a joint statement of intent aimed at deepening humanitarian cooperation.
The initiative sets out to build up psychosocial resilience, particularly among children and young people, while also expanding support services for individuals with special needs. At the same time, it aims to promote social cohesion by encouraging stronger ties between displaced populations and host communities.
To achieve this, the program includes joint trainings, field experience sharing and institutional capacity-building between the two organizations, helping them scale up their humanitarian response and exchange practical expertise.
Yilmaz underlined the broader significance of the initiative, stating: “As Türkiye and the Republic of Korea approach the 70th anniversary of their friendship, it is valuable to see our cooperation in the humanitarian field deepen.” She added that the project, named “MIRAE,” meaning “future” in Korean, is designed not only to respond to current needs but also to invest in long-term resilience.
Ambassador Boo pointed to the historical relationship between the two countries, recalling that South Korea once depended on international assistance and that Türkiye’s support played a role in its recovery.
He said, “Today, we aim to give back to the international community. With the Turkish Red Crescent’s expertise, this project will mark an important step in our cooperation.”
The program also aligns with wider efforts to support the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Syrians. In humanitarian terms, this means returns are carried out without coercion, under safe conditions and with respect for human dignity.
In Türkiye, such processes are coordinated by national authorities in cooperation with international organizations. According to official figures, more than 1.3 million Syrians have voluntarily returned to their country in recent years.
The Turkish Red Crescent contributes to these efforts through programs both inside Türkiye and in northern Syria, providing assistance in areas such as shelter, livelihoods, basic services and social support.
Through its network of community-based services and partnerships with national and international actors, the organization continues to promote resilience, social cohesion and long-term recovery for displaced populations and host communities alike.
Overall, the joint initiative is expected to support ongoing humanitarian efforts by addressing immediate needs while also laying the groundwork for longer-term stability and recovery.
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