Paper details

Paper authors	H. Tolga Bolukbasi
In panel on	Syrian Remittances: Navigating Forced Displacement, Sanctions and Humanitarian Needs
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

This scoping study explores the size, structure, and transfer methods of remittances sent by Syrians in Turkey to Syria and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these. The study relies on a detailed review of existing research, official documents, statistics, and semi-structured in-depth interviews with key government officials, experts with international public institutions, international and national civil society organizations, business associations, and think-and-do tanks. These are complemented by an original exploratory web-based survey conducted in March 2021. The study addresses five research questions. First, what is the legal and institutional framework regulating Syrians’ residence, economic activities, and remittances in Turkey? Second, what are the general demographic and socio-economic characteristics of Syrians in Turkey and their geographical location? Third, what are Syrians’ sources of income? Fourth, what patterns do we observe on remittances sent by Syrians in Turkey to Syria? Finally, what kind of impact does the COVID-19 pandemic have on the size, structure, and transfer methods of remittances? After having reviewed existing research on these research questions and policy debates revolving around them, the study summarizes the key dimensions of the legal and institutional context of Syrians residing and generating income in and remit from Turkey. It then surveys existing data on Syrians’ demographic and socio-economic characteristics, sources of household income, and their remittances in Turkey. The study complements this discussion by presenting the findings of an original survey developed for this research. The study concludes with a set of policy recommendations based on the analysis of findings in the study.

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