BREXIT and the Migration Crisis
Deniz Demircioğlu to Address Refugee and Asylum Issues at the ACE International Conference
Deniz Demircioğlu, WYG’s Director for Socio-Economic Consulting Services in the Middle East and North Africa, will deliver a speech on the refugee and asylum crisis in the Middle East, the approach of the European Union and the United Kingdom, and the ongoing socio-economic infrastructure and humanitarian needs at the ACE International Conference to be held on 15 June 2016 in London. Demircioğlu’s pre-conference insights were published on Infrastructure Intelligence (infrastructure-intelligence.com).
The European Union’s Core Objectives and Approach
In his remarks, Demircioğlu emphasized the European Union’s commitment to “preserving diversity and unity” and “ensuring harmony among citizens of member states,” highlighting that EU countries cannot remain indifferent to the refugee and asylum crisis unfolding in their immediate neighborhood. He stated that the issue must be addressed on multiple levels through both infrastructure and humanitarian investments.
“All Parties Must Be Examined to Understand the Challenges of Migration”
Demircioğlu noted that throughout history, people have sought refuge away from their homelands for various reasons, and that today, many migrate due to conflict, violence, poverty, or in search of better living conditions. “Hosting refugees, whether short or long-term, inevitably brings new infrastructure needs,” he said.
He underlined that the construction of housing and essential facilities, access to clean water, electricity, food, health services, legal and psychological counseling, as well as education and employment opportunities for all age groups, are integral parts of helping displaced people adapt to new living conditions. Moreover, social inclusion, integration, public awareness, and infrastructure transformation should be promoted.
Turkey’s Role and Investments
“With its population of around 80 million, Turkey has done its utmost to host refugees and meet their needs. However, this is not a challenge that Turkey and its neighbors can face alone,” said Demircioğlu.
He pointed out that since the start of the conflict in Syria, 2,748,367 registered Syrians (and over 3 million by unofficial counts) have sought refuge in Turkey. Since 2012, Turkey has established camps for Syrian refugees and made significant investments to support those living in urban areas. These investments have focused on meeting physical, social, and psychological infrastructure needs, ensuring health and hygiene standards, providing guidance services, and overcoming social barriers.
The Contribution of the European Union and the United Kingdom
Demircioğlu stated that the European Union and its Member States play a crucial role in the international humanitarian response for Syrian refugees. The EU has provided over €5 billion in support to improve the situation of Syrian refugees and, during the “Supporting Syria” conference held in London, pledged an additional €3 billion. He added that a total of €445 million in humanitarian aid would continue to address the needs of both Syrian refugees and host communities throughout 2016.
He also noted that the European Commission announced a “Results-Oriented Cooperation Framework” in June 2016, outlining how the EU plans to respond to migration challenges beyond its borders.
The United Kingdom’s Humanitarian Support
Highlighting the United Kingdom as one of the key contributors of humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees, Demircioğlu said that government institutions and NGOs together provide food, shelter, medical care, clean water, and counseling services. The UK’s total support for the Syrian crisis has reached approximately £1 billion, of which around £40 million has been allocated to humanitarian aid. For the 2016–2017 period, DFID funds exceeding £60 million were dedicated to continued assistance.
The United Kingdom’s Position in the BREXIT Process
“Even with BREXIT on the agenda, while the UK may leave the European Union, it cannot separate itself from the humanitarian tragedy and its potential consequences,” Demircioğlu emphasized. He underscored that the UK’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid to refugees should be viewed independently of the BREXIT process. Regardless of the referendum’s outcome, the UK will continue supporting Syrian refugees through both governmental and NGO efforts, maintaining the EU’s core humanitarian values and contributing to physical and social infrastructure support.
