TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, resulting in the deaths of about 47,000 people and leaving approximately 1.5 million people homeless.
During the darkest times, many from Taiwan extended a helping hand to those in Turkey, but there was one in particular who already had the space and the heart, ready to welcome the disaster refugees with open arms.
Chiu Chen-yu is the founding director and principal architect of the Taiwan-Reyhanli Center located on the border of Turkey. The center first aimed at housing "Syrian" refugees after the 2012 Syrian civil war.
The war had left more than 250,000 people stranded with nowhere to go, which was the project's starting point. During a recent interview with TVBS, Chiu explained how the center came to be.
"Seven years ago, I started work at the Bilkent University in Ankara as an assistant professor," Chiu said.
"Almost simultaneously, our ambassador contacted me and said: 'Hey, Chiu, we want to build an elementary school at the border town next to Syria, we call Reyhanli. So, can you be the architect for this project?'"
With a budget of just US＄400,000, Chiu had to devise a way to build a sturdy foundation and a structure large enough to house thousands of refugees.
In addition, he also believed that the center should be for everyone — Syrians and Turkish people alike. "Most of the INGOs believe: yes, we have a Syrian refugee crisis, we should only come to Reyhanli to only help Syrian refugees," he said.
But in reality, the architect believes that's not right. "Because everyone on site is a refugee; everyone on site, including the Turkish citizens, also seriously suffered from the Syrian refugee crisis."
"So, how do we deal with it? How do you not only help the Syrian but also help the Turkish?"
Despite a limited budget, the center's founder successfully repurposed concrete blocks leftover from the Syrian-Turkey barrier, transforming what was once a "military facility" into a humanitarian center.
He effectively turned a barrier that separated people into a facility that could bring them back together. During the design process for the Taiwan Center, the passionate architect also focused on a common ground shared by many Syrians and Turkish people — religion.
"We created 52 standardized units. Each unit is 10 meters in height and 6.3 meters in width, and 8 meters in depth," Chiu said. "Each unit equals the vault structure of the Aleppo Umayyad Mosque, the most important religious building in the north of Syria."
Chiu pointed out that regardless of whether the refugees are from Syria or Turkey, they all believe in the Muslim faith. In bringing everyone together, this humanitarian center can provide comprehensive support to those in need.
This includes job opportunities, free classes, educational services, and even a playground for children. "For each unit, at least I can give 50 job opportunities. If I can give even one job, one family can survive," Chiu said.
"No matter if you're a citizen or Syrian refugee, if you don't have a job, you're a refugee. But if everyone has a job, no one is a refugee." One of the most popular job opportunities offered at the center is workshops where women can produce handcrafted products.
The "One Thousand and One Meow Meow" and "Woof Woof" series are among the products designed and produced by the 150 women at the Reyhanli Center. The practical items, including pouches, scarves, and handbags, allow the women to bond and work together despite difficult situations.
Each product by the women also includes their family name as a signature, hand-stitch to represent an "artwork" designed by the women and to make it truly unique.
Chiu reveals that he often reminds the women "they are not slaves working in a factory;" instead, they are artists creating their works of art with their style.
The humanitarian considers the Reyhanli Center as an international platform that brings people worldwide together to help those in need and spread goodwill.
"The Taiwan Reyhanli Center (re)presents the wisdom and the generosity of people in Taiwan," he explained. Chiu elaborated that Taiwan will be put on the map not because of its geographical position but because of what its people have done to "represent universal humanity."
"I believe, one day, when Taiwan needs help, the community around the world will help people from Taiwan, and that is the meaning of Taiwan."
The Taiwan Reyhanli Center continues its humanitarian work in Turkey, even after the devastating earthquake that struck the region. Once again, Chiu is on the move to provide light and love to local families, showcasing Taiwan's commitment to providing meaningful assistance to those in need.
