The “Project to Provide Emergency Child Protection and MHPSS Support to Families Affected by the Earthquake in Southern Turkey,” implemented in Hatay Province, aims to help children, adolescents, and families rebuild their lives in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment following the disaster. Through multi-faceted activities in the areas of education, child protection, and psychosocial support (MHPSS), the project contributes to the community’s recovery process.

The project is structured around three key outcome areas:

1. Strengthening Access to and Participation in Educational Services

The primary objective of this component is to increase access to quality education services for girls and boys affected by the crisis, economic vulnerability, and food insecurity.
In this context;

• Student kits containing school supplies,
• Teacher support kits for teachers,
• Test books have been distributed to the students.

In addition,“Back to School” events, as well asworkshopson the right to educationandsocial integration, were organized to support children’s return toschool. These activities aimed to boost children’s motivation to learn while also strengthening social cohesion.

2. Supporting High-Quality and Inclusive Learning Environments

As part of the project, various training and capacity-building activities were conducted to enable teachers to effectively deliver content that supports children’s academic, social, and emotional development.
In this regard;

• Children participate insocial and emotional learningactivities,
• Study and homework support programs,
• Work on Turkish language support,
• Information sessions on education and career paths,
• Make-up and remedial classes,
• He has participated in hygiene awareness and education sessions.

In addition, teachers were given the opportunity to strengthen their pedagogical skills by participatingin teacher training sessionsandsupport groups.
Risk awareness and disaster preparednesssessions for children were also an important part of this component.

3. Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Promotion

One of the project’s primary goals is to create safe spaces and supportive community structures for children, adolescents, and parents affected by the earthquake.
In this context;

• Children and adolescents have participated inLevel 2 Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)activities,
• Adolescent groups received more intensive individual and group-based support throughLevel 3 MHPSSinterventions,
• Awareness sessions (ARS)addressing issues related tocombating bullying and discriminationamong children and youth have been conducted.

In addition,the Positive Parenting Program, designed for adults, has helped strengthen parents’ ability to support and protect their children.

This project aims to empower children in Hatay during the post-earthquake recovery process by supporting their education, psychological resilience, and social integration; it contributes to the development of a more protective, aware, and resilient community structure through the active participation of families and teachers.

“The Project to Provide Emergency Child Protection and MHPSS Support to Families Affected by the Earthquake in Southern Turkey” is more than just an emergency response program; it is a long-term solidarity initiative that instills hope, confidence, and stability in the future of children in the region.