Findings are reported for a recent survey of Syrian refugees in Gaziantep, Turkey, that was designed to determine their well-being and social networks.
The survey was conducted because the economic self-reliance of refugees is crucial for their protection and economic contribution to their host communities. In addition, refugee social networks are important in their quest for self-reliance in host communities. The survey determined that 80 percent of female respondents and 40 percent of male respondents did not feel safe at home. The survey found that language proficiency in Turkish, Kurdish, or English was linked to educational attainment, employment, and monthly income in the host country. Another survey finding was that a larger initial social network was associated with an increase in a refugee’s monthly income and likelihood of employment in the host country. Other survey findings were that having a smart phone was linked with an increase in salary; female refugees earned less money than male refugees; although refugees had low rates of financial resilience, they had an average ability to fulfill their basic needs; and 73 percent of men and 70 percent of women frequently met or spoke with individuals in their support networks. Based on these findings, this survey analysis concludes that refugees with a larger social network, better language skills, and frequent contact with their networks have more financial resilience and are better able to sustain their well-being in the host country.