The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Turkey has announced that it will deliver 20,000 additional hygiene kits for displaced Syrian families before the end of 2012. Hygiene kits include sanitary napkins, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste among other items.

"Turkish government has done remarkable work in responding to the needs of the refugees," says UNFPA Representative in Turkey Dr. Zahidul Huque, "but the camps are reaching their full capacity and services are becoming overstretched."

As the conflict in Syria continues and winter approaches, the number of refugees in Turkey is expected to reach 230,000.

"It's time for the international community to step in," says Dr. Huque. "The government has been very cooperative with UNFPA, and they have appreciated our work. But we need to work on the different set of issues identified during the recent UN health mission, notably regarding prevention of gender based violence, psychosocial support, maternal health and family planning."

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Turkish Red Crescent, the UNFPA has trained 31 participants from various Ministries, local governments, universities and NGOs in an internationally agreed crisis health response programme "Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP)" to prepare them to manage reproductive health services and address gender based violence in humanitarian situation.

The UNFPA Turkey Country Office has already distributed 20,000 hygiene kits to the Syrians in the camps through the Turkish Red Crescent as a part of an agreement with the Prime Minister's office on Disaster Management..

Published by the Hurriyet Daily News