Destination Unknown Afghans on the Move in Turkey
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Destination Unknown Afghans on the move in Turkey MMC Middle East Research Report, June 2020 Front cover photo credit: Erdem Sahin/Epa-Efe/Ritzau Scanpix Afghan refugees and migrants on the move in Erzurum, Turkey. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Authors: Sema Buz, Fulya Memişoğlu, Hande Dönmez, independent and high-quality data, research, analysis and Simon Verduijn. and expertise on mixed migration. The MMC aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively Research: TANDANS Data Science Consulting (Hande impact global and regional migration policies, to inform Dönmez, Tuna Kılınç, Benan Akyıldırım, Engin Kızılcan, evidence-based protection responses for people on Sema Buz, and Fulya Memişoğlu) and Mixed Migration the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public Centre Middle East (Simon Verduijn). and policy debates on mixed migration. The MMC’s overarching focus is on human rights and protection for Review: Suzan Yavuz, Nicoletta Gritta, Abdullah all people on the move. Mohammadi, Linnea Kessing, Rachel Bernu, Anthony Morland, Roberto Forin, and Bram Frouws. The MMC is part of and governed by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). While its institutional link to DRC ensures Layout and design: Ali Mowafi. MMC’s work is grounded in operational reality, it acts as an independent source of data, research, analysis and Suggested citation: Mixed Migration Centre (2020), policy development on mixed migration for policy makers, Destination Unknown – Afghans on the move in Turkey. practitioners, journalists, and the broader humanitarian Available at www.mixedmigration.org sector. The position of the MMC does not necessarily reflect the position of DRC. We would like to particularly thank the respondents who were willing to share their time and insights The information and views set out in this report are those during interviews and focus groups, without which the of the MMC and do not necessarily reflect the official research would not have been possible. This publication opinion of the DRC or any of the donors supporting the was produced with the financial support of the United work of MMC. Responsibility for the content of this report Kingdom’s Department for International Development lies entirely with the MMC. (DFID). For more information visit mixedmigration.org and follow The MMC is a global network consisting of seven regional us at @Mixed_Migration. MMC Middle East can be hubs and a central unit in Geneva engaged in data contacted via: [email protected] collection, research, analysis and policy development on mixed migration. The MMC is a leading source for Destination Unknown – Afghans on the move in Turkey 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................8 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 10 2. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................... 11 2.1 Phases ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Quantitative data collection ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Qualitative data collection ............................................................................................................................................................ 14 2.4 Data analysis ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 2.5 Research challenges and limitations ......................................................................................................................................... 14 3. CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND ............................................................................................. 16 3.1 History of mixed migration from Afghanistan since the 1970s ...................................................................................... 16 3.2 Afghan displacement in numbers ............................................................................................................................................... 17 3.3 Drivers of Afghan migration ......................................................................................................................................................... 21 3.4 Afghan migration to Turkey ..........................................................................................................................................................23 4. DRIVERS AND DECISIONS .................................................................................................... 25 4.1 Push factors: reasons for leaving Afghanistan .....................................................................................................................25 4.2 Pull factors: reasons for coming to Turkey .............................................................................................................................. 27 4.3 Onward movement ...........................................................................................................................................................................30 5. ON THE MOVE: ROUTES, MEANS AND CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL ..................... 32 5.1 Migration routes................................................................................................................................................................................. 32 5.2 Means and conditions of travel ...................................................................................................................................................34 5.3 Risks ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 5.4 The evaluation and perception of migrants and refugees regarding the risks faced en route ..........................38 5.5 Assistance needed and received ................................................................................................................................................39 6. THE ROLE OF SMUGGLERS .................................................................................................. 41 7. CHALLENGES IN TURKEY ...................................................................................................... 45 7.1 Refugee response .............................................................................................................................................................................. 45 7.2 Protection .............................................................................................................................................................................................46 7.4 Health .....................................................................................................................................................................................................48 7.4 Education ..............................................................................................................................................................................................50 7.5 Employment ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 52 7.6 Housing .................................................................................................................................................................................................54 7.7 Assessment of service provision .................................................................................................................................................56 7.8 Overall assessment of conditions per city ...............................................................................................................................58 8. SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS ............................................................................................. 61 8.1 On the move ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 61 8.2 Challenges in Turkey ........................................................................................................................................................................63 9. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................... 65 9.1 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................................................65 9.2 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................................................65 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................... 67