US delegation visits Syrian refugee camp in Turkey

A delegation from the US State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) visited a refugee camp in İslahiye, a town in the southern province of Gaziantep, where Syrians who have fled the violence in their country are being sheltered Today's ZAman reproted.

The delegation, including Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Anne C. Richard, USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance Nancy Lindborg and US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, was welcomed by the İslahiye district governor, Osman Beyazyıldız, on Thursday.

During their visit to the camp, the delegation spoke with refugees.

Ford thanked the Turkish government and its people for their support of the Syrian refugees.

During their visit, from Jan. 23-31, the delegation will meet with representatives from international humanitarian and nongovernmental organizations to discuss assistance for Syrian refugees and have talks with Turkish government officials and members of the Syrian opposition coalition.

In addition, four Syrians who were wounded during clashes in the city of Idlib in Syria were brought to Turkey by truck for treatment. They were taken to hospitals in Hatay.

AFAD said that Syrian citizens who have taken shelter in Turkey have been provided with lodging, food, health services, security, social activities, education, religious services, translation services and communications.
Turkish NGO hands out food, winter clothes to Syrians.

Syrians living in Turkey's southern province of Hatay in rented houses were given food, blankets and winter clothes by the organization.