Türkiye is home to the largest refugee population in the world. The country hosts more than 4 million refugees, many of whom have fled conflict in Syria. 

Funded by the European Union and its member states under the Facility for Refugees in Türkiye, the ESSN provided monthly cash assistance via prepaid debit cards—called 'Kizilaykart' or 'Red Crescent card'—to the most vulnerable refugees in Türkiye.

Every month, each family member received reliable cash payments, enabling them to decide for themselves how to cover essential needs like rent, transport, bills, food and medicine. The programme offered additional quarterly top-ups based on family size and provided lifeline support to communities affected by the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye in February 2023.

The ESSN was the largest humanitarian programme in the history of the EU and the largest programme ever implemented by the IFRC.

In 2023, after more than three years of operation, we are handing the ESSN over to Türkiye's Directorate General of Social Assistance (DGSA). The Turkish Red Crescent will continue to implement the programme, using their expertise and country-wide presence to ensure ESSN benefits communities for years to come.

This web page covers humanitarian aid activities implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the European Union, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.