Lawmakers visit UN supported refugee centre in Istanbul, highlighting local partnerships in humanitarian response

As part of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU152) in Istanbul, parliamentarians from around the world joined a field visit to observe how United Nations agencies and local partners deliver services to refugees and host communities in Türkiye.

The visit took place at the Refugees and Asylum Seekers Assistance and Solidarity Association (RASAS) Community Centre in Sultanbeyli district of Istanbul, operated in collaboration with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

The delegation included the UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye Babatunde Ahonsi, representatives from the IPU Secretariat and its health, human rights, international humanitarian law, and UN affairs committees, as well as Members of Parliament from multiple countries and representatives of UN entities participating in IPU152.

The visit provided a first-hand look at how integrated, community-based services are delivered on the ground in one of Istanbul’s districts hosting a high number of refugees. Sultanbeyli, with a population of nearly 379,000, is home to approximately 19,000 Syrians under temporary protection, making it a key district in Türkiye’s refugee response.

Established in 2014 under the leadership of the municipality, RASAS has become a central actor in supporting both refugees and host communities. Through its Community Centre, the association delivers a wide range of services spanning protection, education, livelihoods, basic needs, and social cohesion.

As of March 2026, the centre has reached over 17,000 beneficiaries, the vast majority of whom are Syrians under temporary protection, primarily from Aleppo, Damascus, and Idlib. Services are designed to respond to diverse needs, with a near equal gender distribution among beneficiaries.

Since 2017, UNHCR’s Istanbul Field Office has worked closely with RASAS and the municipality to strengthen access to protection services. With UNHCR support, the centre provides counselling, case management, and referral services for individuals with specific needs, including survivors of gender-based violence and children at risk.

The centre also facilitates access to mental health and psychosocial support, as well as in-kind and cash assistance through dedicated support mechanisms. Community outreach activities, including information sessions and focus group discussions, help ensure that both refugees and host communities are informed of their rights and available services.

Speaking during the visit, UN officials emphasized the importance of local partnerships in delivering effective and inclusive responses. The Sultanbeyli model was highlighted as an example of how municipalities, civil society, and international organizations can work together to provide holistic support and strengthen social cohesion.

The visit underscored the critical role of field-level engagement in informing policymaking, offering parliamentarians a concrete understanding of how global commitments translate into real impact for communities on the ground. The visiting parliamentarians unanimously expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s refugee governance system especially in relation to the effective tripartite collaboration between municipal authorities, community organizations and the UNHCR in delivering services to refugees and their host communities.