Turkey spent 20 times more than international aid agencies on refugees

Turkey has spent 20 times more on refugees since the start of the Syrian crisis in 2011 than international relief agencies, including the UN.

According to data obtained by Anadolu Agency from the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management group (AFAD), Ankara spent nearly $9 billion on refugees while international relief organisations including the United Nations spent approximately $455 million.

According to the data, nearly 13.5 million Syrians are in urgent need of aid while 6.5 million were forced to leave their homes over the past five years; over four million of them fled to neighbouring countries.

There are more than two million Syrians in Turkey.

According to the data, Ankara has built 26 temporary shelters as part of an open door policy to receive refugees.