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Turkish official: Syrian refugees are here to stay

Leading refugee expert Metin Corabatir says the Turkish government must come up with clearer legislation and policies to address the problem of Syrian refugees, and work much more closely with the international community and NGOs.
Kurdish refugees from the Syrian town of Kobani are seen inside a fenced refugee camp as they watch other children play  in the border town of Suruc, Sanliurfa province November 5, 2014.  REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (TURKEY - Tags: MILITARY CONFLICT POLITICS) - RTR4CX33

Speculation continues to be rife over what Turkey’s military contribution to the fight against the Islamic State (IS) is. What is not open to debate, however, is the massive humanitarian contribution it is trying to make that outshines efforts by the West, which remains reluctant even when it comes to providing shelter for Syrian refugees.

Citing data provided by the London-based Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), Turkey’s semi-official Anadolu Agency reported this week that of the 5.8 million Syrians that fled to neighboring countries since the beginning of the conflict, 1.9 million have taken refuge in Turkey.

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