Integration process and problems of Syrian asylum seekers: The case of Elazığ

With the anti-regime demonstrations in Syria that began on March 15, 2011, and shortly after turned into a serious conflict and then into a civil war, a serious and dramatic escape from Syria to neighboring countries has begun to take place. This situation in Syria has caused millions of Syrians to have to take refuge in other countries, causing the life of Syrians and the immigration process to continue in a more complex way that increases future concerns. Due to this situation, this immigration phenomenon which was previously seen as a short-term and temporary situation, has become permanent. This leaves the migrants with the obligation to develop a range of strategies that would provide integration with the general society in terms of economic, social and cultural aspects and include livelihoods and social cohesion processes. According to the official data dated 28.06.2018 of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Interior Directorate General of Migration Administration, there are 3.562.523 Syrians in Turkey and a large part of this number, 3.347.905, constitutes Syrians living outside the shelters. According to the same data, 11.580 Syrian asylum-seekers live in Elazığ province. With the aim of understanding the social, economic and cultural integration processes of the Syrian asylum-seekers residing in the province of Elazığ, in this study a general evaluation is made based on the data obtained from the field study conducted on such matters as employment, occupational status and working conditions, sufficiency of earnings to meet basic needs, the availability and the adequacy of health services, educational opportunities for children, the quality and adequacy of housing, the situation of the relationships with the local people in terms of solidarity, discrimination and exclusion. According to the data obtained from the interviews with 60 people residing in 7 districts of Elazığ by using in-depth interview technique, Syrian asylum-seekers are confronted with various difficulties in economic, social and cultural terms that make the social cohesion and integration process difficult, and especially living costs, work and working conditions, the problem of trust and discrimination in social relations and the inadequacy of language are at the top of these difficulties. Key Words: Migration, Syria, Asylum-Seeker, Integration, Social Cohesion