How to seek help as a refugee or an asylum seeker in Türkiye?

The leaflet on legal aid for international protection applicants, status holders and persons under temporary protection.

STEP 1: Identify the type of assistance

If you are a refugee or an asylum seeker in Türkiye, and you are looking for the following services:

  • Educational activities and counselling,
  • Legal counselling and assistance,
  • Psychological and psychiatric counselling and assistance,
  • Psycho-social counselling and assistance,
  • Counselling on access to rights and services for persons with special needs.

Be aware that UNHCR and its partner organizations can provide you with the mentioned services. Additionally, UNHCR and its partner organizations may also provide you with the following services, after reviewing your request for assistance:

  • Interpreter assistance for your medical and legal proceedings,
  • Home visits for social and financial assistance,
  • Assistance in writing petitions on your behalf, including your requests to state bodies such as SASF, PDMMs, PMM, courts and Bar Associations.

STEP 2: Contact UNHCR for help

To get in touch with UNHCR for individual support and assistance, please contact the UNHCR Counselling Line for refugees and asylum-seekers in Türkiye. Our counsellors are trained to counsel you on the procedures, rights and obligations relating to your stay in Türkiye, details on services available in your area, and advice and information relevant to your individual situation.

The UNHCR Counselling Line can be reached on 4444868. It is available from 9.00 to 17.00 on Mondays to Thursdays, and from 9.00 to 16.00 on Fridays. You can receive counselling in Arabic, Persian, Turkish and English. Counsellors speaking French, Urdu, Kurdish and Somali are available upon request.

Alternatively, you can email UNHCR at [email protected].

STEP 3: Contact partner organizations for help

Many services are provided by UNHCR’s partner organizations. To contact and seek assistance directly from our partners working in your province, please use the details below.

Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM)

Established in 1995, ASAM carries out projects for asylum-seekers and refugees in Türkiye. ASAM covers the following areas: psycho-social counselling, legal counselling, health and reproductive counselling, educational activities, and social activities.

ASAM has 72 offices in 46 provinces across Türkiye. Visit the ASAM website to find the contact details and location of the ASAM office or centre closest to you.

Human Resources Development Foundation (HRDF)

HRDF works towards establishing and strengthening the rights-based reception system to support refugees. Social workers in seven provinces closely work with the local authorities and advocate for refugees’ access to their rights.

Ağrı
Leylek Pınar Mah. Cumhuriyet Cad.
Günakın İş Merkezi Kat:1 No:8 Ağrı
Tel: (0472) 215 1421

Ankara
Atatürk Bulvarı No:219/4 Kavaklıdere Çankaya/Ankara
Tel/Fax: (0312) 428 3011

Bilecik
Gazipaşa Mah. Yahyabey Sok. No:13/1-2 Bilecik
Tel/Fax: (0228) 212 1164

Eskişehir
Hoşnudiye Mah. İsmet İnönü-1 Cad. No:45/2 Tepebaşı/Eskişehir
Tel/Fax: (0222) 234 6442

İstanbul
HRDF Beyoglu
Asmalı Mescit Mah. Asmalı Mescit Cad. Nil Han No: 16 Kat: 1 Daire:10-11 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Tel: (0212) 254 1776
Fax: (0212) 254 1732

HRDF Esenler (Support Office for Syrian Refugees)
Kazim Karabekir Mah. 1001. Sok. No:2 Esenler/Istanbul
Tel: (0212) 562 5062
Fax: (0212) 562 5067

Kütahya
Saray Mah. Mahvel Sok. No: 68 A Blok Kat: 1 Daire:4 Merkez/Kütahya
Tel/Fax: (0274) 223 2627

Van
Hafıziye Mah. Kazım Karabekir Bulvarı F1 Kaya İş Merkezi No:150/1
Kat:2 Daire: 10 İpekyolu/Van
Tel/Fax: (0432) 216 0534


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