A Brief Background


Afghan Refugee Solidarity Association (ARSA) volunteer activities for refugees in Turkey began in 2009. Later it was decided that these activities must be done formally, finally, in 2014, our NGO was formally registered with the Turkish government.
ARSA has been providing social and legal support for the refugees and asylum-seekers in reaching their rights and services; psychosocial support and organizing numerous courses and activities to integrate them into social life since its establishment and currently continues its activities in 3 offices (Kayseri, Van and Konya) and voluntarily actives in more than 60 cities around Turkey.
Since 2012, we have been the connection between UNHCR and Afghan refugees all over Turkey. Afghan refugees in different provinces, choose a volunteer representative among them. The representative informs us about all emergency situations in the city. We share information about emergency and urgent cases with UNHCR and other Organizations or governments.
With the help of this volunteer network consisting of 60 cities and 370 volunteers in Turkey, we help newly arrived refugees to register in Turkish immigration offices, schools and hospitals by providing translation services to them. We also provide support and service through activities such as Turkish language courses, vocational courses and cultural, social and sports activities with the support of the local organization.

Community based organization with volunteers resource

ARSA is one of the founding members of the Global Refugee Led Network MENA Region, one of the founders of Afghan Refugees Experts in Europe and one of the founding members of the Turkish Refugee Council (Refugee Information and Support Point) which is working together with several institutes who are active in the area of asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants.

The ARSA, being a community-based organization itself and hence, maintaining active and trust-based relationships with the members of communities and being involved in advocacy terms vis-à-vis the key service providers, is in a good position to identify the main gaps and areas in need of support that largely inform the project idea.

What we're up to?

ARSA’s Mission is to create a place where all asylum seekers/ refugees can enjoy their fundamental rights and services and live in a harmony with the host community. ARSA strives for creating a safe place and ensuring the well-being of asylum seekers and refugees.

Who do we serve?

Our primary beneficiaries are nonprofits. We are serving refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants and local peoples.

Where do we operate?

We currently operate in 3 cities in Turkey. Kayseri is where the main office is. Konya and Van provinces are where we work with our supporters, and partners through our other programs beyond our 3 cities on a limited basis. We are creating a network of refugees/ asylum seekers and local people around Turkey.

Achievements of the Past 12 Years

Increased Client Base

  • Tripled the number of supporters we serve on an annual basis
  • Services in 3 provinces inside Turkey
  • Services for all refugees and local community
  • Started a new Employment Services Department with a specific employment focus
  • Increased the number of programs, activities and services to 187 in the last 12 years
  • Started customized integration programs for refugees women and children

Expanded Partnerships

  • Collaborated with more than 30 government and community organizations
  • Increased support for community partners by raising
  • Created “Turkey refugees convention” with the cooperation of 20 other local NGOs
  • Founding members of Global Refugee Led Network MENA Region,
  • One of the founders of Afghan Refugees Experts in Europe

Strengthened our Capacity

  • More than doubled our office space in Kayseri city,
  • Provided services for more than 63 thousand refugees/asylum seekers and locals
  • Contributed 30,000 volunteer hours through 950 volunteers in the last 12 years
  • Achieved enough capacity in the Human Resources and Information Technology areas
  • Provided more than 60 people for interviews with media and research organizations
  • Provided more than 30 workshops, seminars and trainings for ARS

Increased Visibility Locally, Nationally and Internationally

  • Conducted 80 media interviews/promotions of our activities
  • Produced 2 translated book “Asylum seekers and illegal migration inside Turkey” that is available on our website and in print.
  • Presented at national and international conferences
  • Created websites which provide information about ARSA and important information for refugees in Turkey (www.arsa.org.tr)
  • Created social media Which has the most followers among the other refugee networks (223K followers just on Facebook Page)
  • Created a channel for direct questions and live answers which are volunteer consultations about the law and living situation of refugees/asylum seekers in Turkey.

ARSA's yearly activities by beneficiaries

  • 2009: 324 people
  • 2010: 498 people
  • 2011: 880 people
  • 2012: 2379 people
  • 2013: 1880 people
  • 2014: 2698 people
  • 2015: 3504 people
  • 2016: 3918 people
  • 2017: 4510 people
  • 2018: 11043 people
  • 2019: 13094 people
  • 2020: 24595 people

KINDS OF ACTIVITIES 2009-2020

  • TOTAL OF 187 ACTIVITIES
  • Education: 68
  • Livelihood: 40
  • Protection: 32
  • Health: 7
  • Cash:4
  • Social: 31
  • Shelter:5

  • AWARDS

Dr Zakira Hekmat is the ARSA Director and the Voice President of the Turkish Refugee Council.

Mrs Hekmat believes the war has scarred her country so deeply that everyone in society needs to play their role in uplifting one another and the disadvantaged. Mrs Hekmat believes she is at the beginning of her journey: Society needs thousands of girls like her to work for bigger causes in serving their communities.

In 2020 Dr Zakira Hekmat, director of ARSA  is awarded as HasNa’s 2020 Peacebuilders of the Year. Based on her commitment to dismantling barriers to positive peace, giving voice to the underserved, and striving to improve inter-communal relations, Zakia has demonstrated the skill, resolve, and passion that is required to overcome the myriad challenges confronted by those affected by conflict, violence, and injustice.

https://hasna.org/hasnas-2020-peacebuilders-of-the-year/zakira-hekmat/

In 2021 she won the award given on behalf of Angela Burdett-Coutts by İGAM- the first refugee activist award in Turkey.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1875561/middle-east

You can find Dr ZAKİRA HEKMAT's Award ceremony speech on the link below:

https://igamder.org/TR/igam/dr-zakira-hekmat-dunya-da-ulkem-de-barisa-susadi

 

 

Now in August 2021, Dr Zakira Hekmat was awarded by Supreme Master Ching Hai a “Shining World Compassion Award” from Taiwan. We share the happiness and pride of becoming one among the dozen of people in the world who receives this award. These respectful awards are the best motivational tools for everyone in our team which keeps going.

Communication with ARSA:

  • Website: www.arsa.org.tr​
  • Email: info@arsa.org.tr
  • Twitter: arsa_org​
  • Facebook: ARSAOrg
  • Instagram: arsa_organization
  • Youtube: ARSAOrg​