Turkey's Orphans City will help rehabilitate hundreds of Syrian children
Turkey has unveiled a complex dedicated to housing and educating around 990 children orphaned from the Syrian civil war. The 68,000 square-meter Orphans City, situated in the south-eastern border town of Reyhanli, comprises of 55 cosy villas, four schools, a mosque, a playground and a sports arena. The complex, built in less than two years, is a joint-project between Turkey and two aid groups.
Syrian civil war has affected 6 million children
The six-year Syrian civil war has affected an estimated six million children, according to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Over 2.3 million of these are registered as child refugees. Turkey is home to over 800,000 Syrian children of school age. At the beginning of the academic year, only 60% have been enrolled in schools.
City is 'world's biggest space dedicated for orphan war victims'
Orphans City is a collaboration between the Turkish government, the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation and Qatar's Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF). The centre's website said it's aimed at rehabilitating the "war-related psychological problems and traumas" of Syrian orphans, particularly those living on the streets. "The city is the biggest space dedicated for orphan victims of war in the world."
The city will benefit another 5,000 children
The city has 55 two-storey villas. Of these 35 will house boys while the remaining 20 are for girls. Each villa will host 18 children and a "caretaker." The children will be taught at two primary and two secondary schools constructed in the city. The facility will also benefit another 5,000 children who aren't housed inside the complex.
