In this edition:
- IOM’s FAP Continues to Help Families Reunite in Germany
- Kitting out the Turkish National Police and Coast Guard
- IOM Integration Programmes Build the Basis for Independent Lives
- Psychosocial Support Certificate Programme in Turkey Aids War-affected Communities
- Boosting Refugee Access to Health Centres along TurkishSyrian Border
€ 20 Million EU Project Supports Turkish Coast Guard to Save More Migrant Lives
On 15 June, the Turkish Coast Guard (TCG) received two sophisticated search and rescue vessels that will boost their abilities to rescue even more migrants and refugees as they try to reach Europe. The vessels are part of a € 20 million agreement signed with the European Union and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) to strengthen the operational capacity of the TCG.
Since the beginning of 2015, nearly 1,050,000 migrants and refugees (mostly from Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq) have used Turkey as a launching point to try to reach Europe. The Turkish government responded to the increased migration flows by rescuing nearly 135,000 migrants and refugees as they tried to make their way to Greece.
The vessels, specifically designed for search and rescue operations, will increase the geographical coverage and frequency of coast guard patrols. These sophisticated vessels are faster and can operate in some of the harshest weather conditions. The boats have the capability to right themselves when capsized and a hydraulic platform will make it easier for the TCG to pull migrants and refugees out of the water, especially for those injured or for those who have already perished.
