Introducing the Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens and its Director, Dr. CHIU Chen-Yu (Cho)! 

Cho has been working for 8 years for the Centre built in Reyhanli/Hatay, Turkiye to serve the people of the war-affected region. Located in Reyhanli, a town on the Turkish-Syrian border, the Centre was established by Cho in 2016 to address the needs of the burgeoning Syrian refugee population. The Centre is notable for being the first humanitarian architecture project in the Levant region, receiving praise and awards for its innovative approach to fostering socio-cultural and economic integration between Syrian refugees and Turkish locals.

In the wake of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6, 2023, the earthquake-resistant Centre played a critical role in humanitarian relief, providing shelter, food, electricity and essential services to nearly 2,000 people. It also coordinated with 22 international NGOs to aid the affected communities. As life in Reyhanli began to stabilize, the Centre led efforts to construct transitional shelters and implement long-term recovery plans, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and the inclusion of displaced and disadvantaged groups. Cho’s dedication and leadership have been instrumental in transforming the Centre into a place of hope and resilience for the region.

• Article: The Taiwan-Reyhanlı Centre for World Citizens and 2023 Türkiye-Syria Earthquake

Reyhanli, a town bordering Syria in the southeastern Turkish province of Hatay, experienced a significant population surge as Syrian asylum seekers fled the escalating conflicts in early 2011. The population grew from 120,000 to 270,000, putting immense pressure on local resources. In response, Dr. CHIU Chen-Yu (Cho) initiated the Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens in 2016, marking the first humanitarian architecture project in the Levant region since the Syrian civil war began. This initiative, led by built-environment professionals, has received international acclaim and multiple architectural awards.

Cho, alongside his students from Bilkent University in Ankara, designed and programmed the Centre to foster socio-cultural, economic, and political integration between Syrians and Turkish locals. Starting in 2016, the team conducted site investigations and research, with construction beginning in 2019. As the founding director and principal architect, Cho volunteered his expertise, collaborating closely with the Turkish government, NGOs, INGOs, and grassroots organizations to enhance the quality, equality, and sustainability of life for all residents.

During the design phase, evaluations of pre-construction risks pinpointed Reyhanli’s location within an earthquake-prone area. Consequently, the structure of the Centre was engineered to withstand earthquakes of Magnitude 7.0 and above, while incorporating post-disaster utilities. To minimise on-site expertise requirements, prefabricated building components were selected. Concrete blocks were obtained from the nearby fortified military border, while lightweight metal sheet roofing was chosen for its earthquake-resistant properties, facilitating easier installation within the limited budget.

On February 6, 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck, causing Reyhanli to lose water, electricity, and food supplies for weeks, and leading to the shutdown of local governmental institutions. The Centre immediately transformed into a humanitarian relief hub, hosting nearly 2000 people for 45 days and providing essential services such as shelter, water, food, electricity, and healthcare to thousands of survivors. The Centre also coordinated with 22 INGOs to manage the humanitarian response in the town.

As life gradually returned to normal, with Reyhanli absorbing an additional 200,000 refugees, the Centre has been the first institution to build transitional shelters for displaced Syrian refugees and Turkish locals. Partnering with local organizations, the Centre implemented a 36-month recovery plan to support earthquake survivors, fostering long-term inclusion and integration of minorities and disadvantaged groups.

To mitigate potential disasters, the Centre undertook several actions across three stages:

• Pre-disaster Mitigation:

1. 1. • Conducting risk assessments and monitoring for earthquakes and terrorist attacks;
      • Implementing a construction plan to withstand earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher;
      • Developing storage and delivery solutions for emergency supplies, including water, food, medical equipment, fuel, and medicine; and
      • Ensuring emergency preparedness by providing essential services such as climate-controlled shelters, power plants, and hygiene facilities.

• Post-disaster Emergency Responses:

1. 1. • Assessing emergency situations and mobilizing resources efficiently;
      • Distributing food and basic nutrition assistance, supporting local health facilities;
      • Enhancing the effectiveness of projects by recruiting and managing local staff;
      • Providing shelter for over 2000 people, prioritizing women, children, and the elderly;
      • Coordinating with international agencies and government officials to manage humanitarian efforts;
      • Standardizing information management to prevent disinformation; and
      • Using digital media to raise awareness and empower communities.

• Post-disaster Recovery:

1. • Establishing a monitoring framework to ensure post-stabilization and identify vulnerable populations;
   • Creating job opportunities and conducting workshops for displaced and disadvantaged groups;
   • Managing volunteer professionals to provide free education to affected children;
   • Implementing sustainable fundraising programs and media operations to enhance social awareness; and
   • Developing sustainability projects, including recycling systems and renewable energy installations.

The Centre has gained international recognition and numerous architectural awards for its innovative humanitarian relief and disaster prevention approaches. The Centre’s management and architectural innovation approaches have proven effective in aiding displaced and disadvantaged people affected by the Syrian refugee crisis and the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake. These innovations offer new market opportunities and inspire other actors to scale up humanitarian assistance efforts, reducing the negative impacts of potential disasters globally.

Overall, key lessons learned from the Centre’s success include transforming post-emergency relief into sustainable development, cooperative programming with affected communities, using appropriate technologies for disaster resilience, and fostering long-term socio-economic systems. The Centre’s efforts in sustainable financing, ethical international trade, and crowdfunding have ensured continuous support for disaster interventions and long-term recovery, demonstrating a holistic approach to humanitarian innovation.

Dr. Chen-Yu Chiu

Director of the Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens 

Read the counterfactual analysis here.