IBB AND UNHCR SIGNS MOU ON REFUGEES

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Turkey have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on refugees. The agreement includes collaboration on refugees, asylum seekers and those who are provided with temporary protection as well as status owners and international protection applicants. Turkey has transformed from a transit country to a ‘target country’ in years and Istanbul hosts a major refugee population, according to Ekrem Imamoglu, the city’s mayor. “The MoU will strengthen our current cooperation with the UNHCR on this issue, and it will support all works to be carried out in the upcoming days in order for refugees and migrants to live peacefully together with the local people,” said Imamoglu. “Although we don’t support a systematic assistance culture, we promote a culture encouraging society to accept these people, help them become independent and ensure they have a peaceful and reputable future,” said Philippe Lecrec, Representative of UNHCR Turkey.