Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) distributed food packages to Najashi village in Ethiopia’s Tigray province, a location renowned as the first home of Muslim migrants and a site of profound historical and cultural significance.
The Najashi Tomb, Mosque, and the graves of 15 Companions in the village represent the rich religious and cultural heritage of the region and hold an esteemed place in Islamic history.
The conflicts in the region between 2020 and 2022 severely impacted the livelihoods of the villagers. Although two years have passed since the end of these conflicts, progress in production, employment, and economic development remains insufficient.
To address the villagers’ basic needs and alleviate their financial difficulties, TİKA delivered 350 food packages tailored to local conditions and dietary preferences.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established three water filtration stations in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province as part of its Access to Clean Drinking Water Program.
In a region where access to clean drinking water remains a critical issue, TİKA set up two solar submersible water pumps in Peshawar and one water filtration station in Karak, ensuring that residents of the area can access safe and clean drinking water.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, Pakistan has the lowest water availability among 26 countries in Asia and is projected to face severe water scarcity by 2035. Additionally, the WHO estimates that 25–30% of hospital admissions in Pakistan are attributed to diseases caused by the consumption of contaminated or bacteria-laden water. This issue is particularly fatal for infants, while a significant portion of the population in regions lacking access to clean water is compelled to rely on unhygienic water sources.
Through the project implemented by TİKA, approximately 25,000 residents of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have gained improved access to safe drinking water. The solar submersible water pumps address the region’s electricity shortages while providing a sustainable, environmentally friendly energy solution. Meanwhile, the water filter stations ensure that water is purified of contaminants and meets drinking water standards. The developed infrastructure was handed over to the Alkhidmat Foundation and made available for the benefit of the local population.
The ”CezeriFest 3D Design and Printing Competition” brought together young talents trained in “Cezeri Lab” and ”Cezeri Studio” projects launched by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in 22 different countries.
TİKA’s inaugural CezeriFest, themed “Design for Education,” took place in Ankara from December 9 to 12.
A 3D Design and Printing Competition was held during the festival, showcasing 54 projects presented by participants from Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tanzania, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Ukraine. Competitors developed innovative and educationally beneficial projects using three-dimensional printers.
The projects were evaluated by a panel of five jury members. The first prize was awarded to “TRNC-Team Techno Eul,” the second prize to “Ukraine Team L&A”, and the third prize to “Pakistan Team CTTI Islamabad”.
The Pakistani team designed a car suspension and differential model using a 3D printer, while the Ukrainian team developed a model illustrating the three-dimensional visualization of electric current. The TRNC team created experimental setups, including pendulums, to support science education at the primary, secondary, and high school levels.
“Bringing Al-Jazari’s legacy to every corner of the world”
TİKA’s President Serkan Kayalar presented the awards to the competition winners. In his speech, Kayalar stated, “We are proud to have successfully completed the first CezeriFest, which we plan to host annually as a technology competition under various thematic titles.”
Kayalar highlighted that the event, named after the inventor Ismail Al-Jazari—known as the “Father of Robotics”—embodies TİKA’s vision and mission of sharing Türkiye’s scientific and technological expertise with the world. He described Al-Jazari as one of the most remarkable scientists to emerge from the Islamic world.
Kayalar stated, “Through the Cezeri Labs established in nearly 20 countries—from South Africa to Mongolia and from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Bangladesh—and the Cezeri Studios implemented in almost 10 countries, we are spreading Al-Jazari’s name to all corners of the world.”
He added that the devices and laboratory infrastructures developed in Türkiye equip young people with skills in three-dimensional design, modeling, robotics, and mechatronics. Kayalar emphasized that the projects showcased in the 3D Design and 3D Printing Competition, held as part of CezeriFest, represent not only technical achievements but also innovative solutions that promote creative thinking, sustainability, and equal opportunities in education.
Participants engage directly with technology at CezeriFest
As part of the festival, an exhibition showcasing works from the Istanbul Jazari Museum was organized, giving participants a unique opportunity to experience technology firsthand through activities at the “Cezeri 3D Printing Workshop”. The closing program also featured promotional videos highlighting the large-scale technology laboratory, Cezeri Lab, and the more compact Cezeri Studio.
“CezeriFest,” organized by TİKA to strengthen cooperation with friendly nations in the fields of technology and science, will be held annually with a different theme, providing a platform for young people’s innovative projects.”
TİKA’s science and technology initiative: “Cezeri Lab and Studio”
The Cezeri Lab and Cezeri Studio projects, implemented by TİKA under the “Science and Technology Education Program (BİTEP)” to enhance the technological infrastructures of partner countries, focus on fostering scientific and industrial innovation. These initiatives provide young people with significant opportunities in technology through training offered at the large-scale Cezeri Lab and the more compact Cezeri Studio.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has delivered food packages and tents to support Palestinians affected by the ongoing conflict in Southern Gaza.
As a result of Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza, nearly 50,000 people have lost their lives, over 100,000 have been injured and approximately 2 million Palestinians have been displaced.
The number of aid trucks permitted to enter Gaza and the quantity of aid delivered have been decreasing steadily. For instance, while 117,000 tons of food supplies were allowed into Gaza in May, this amount fell drastically to 35,000 tons by November. Additionally, severe restrictions have been imposed on the entry of essential shelter materials such as tents.
Under these challenging conditions, TİKA provided food packages including dry goods as well as fruits and vegetables to support 1,000 families living in tents in the southern regions of Gaza.
Additionally, 50 tents were produced using the supplied materials and distributed to 50 families in urgent need of shelter.
Previously, TİKA had provided various forms of aid to Gazans, including shelter materials, medical supplies, food packages, blankets, beds, pillows, and winter clothing.
TİKA, which distributed food packages during Ramadan and served hot iftar meals to 2,000 people daily through the TİKA Ramadan Kitchen, remains committed to improving the living conditions of those affected by the ongoing conflict.
In collaboration with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Hands Giving Lives Association, extensive eye care examinations and practical training for local healthcare personnel were conducted in Porto-Novo, Benin.
The volunteer health team from TİKA and the Hands Giving Lives Association examined 140 patients and performed cataract surgeries on 125 individuals at the Eye Diseases Polyclinic of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Départemental Ouémé à Porto-Novo Hospital.
Over the seven-day initiative, medical procedures were conducted in partnership with local doctors, and knowledge was exchanged to enhance healthcare delivery. Patients’ current conditions were assessed, and guidance was provided on post-treatment care before concluding the health assistance program.
This project aimed to enhance healthcare capacity in Africa, expedite medical services, transfer expertise to local health professionals, introduce new techniques, and foster stronger ties of friendship between nations.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established “Black Soldier Fly Production Farms” in Kenya to promote the economic independence of women farmers and encourage environmentally sustainable production.
As part of the project, conducted in partnership with the Mama Doing Good Foundation—under the patronage of Kenyan First Lady Rachel Ruto—and the Nandi County Government, TİKA set up a “Black Soldier Fly Training Farm” at the Kaimosi Education Center. Additionally, it established “Black Soldier Fly Production Farms” for four women’s cooperatives that completed their training in the Eldoret and Uasin Gishu counties.
The project aims to provide women farmers with an environmentally friendly source of income while recycling organic waste and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Through Black Soldier Fly production, women can feed their chickens and earn income by selling the feed they produce in powdered or larvae form.
Black Soldier Fly production mitigates environmental impact by converting organic waste into valuable products. The high-protein feeds produced by these flies require fewer resources than traditional feeds and reduce environmental pressure.
Comprehensive training and implementation
At the training farm established by TİKA at the Kaimosi Training Center, participants received instruction on the production, care, and utilization of Black Soldier Flies. After completing their training, four women farmer cooperatives began managing their own production farms and started large-scale operations.
The inauguration of the training farm at the Kaimosi Training Center was attended by Nandi Deputy Governor, Yulita Cheruiyot; Mama Doing Good Foundation President, Elizabeth Koskei; and TİKA’s Coordinator in Nairobi, Yasemin Cansuz Kurt.
During the ceremony, Deputy Governor Cheruiyot highlighted the significance of women’s involvement in innovative agricultural practices and announced plans to support at least ten women in receiving training each month. Cheruiyot expressed gratitude to the Turkish people and TİKA for their contributions to the project.
About the Black Soldier Fly
The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) is an insect species that feeds on agricultural waste, food scraps, and organic material, converting biological waste into a high-protein food source. This sustainable production method provides significant benefits to small-scale farmers, fostering environmental sustainability and economic growth.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established a nursery in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, planting 75 local myrtle trees to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and the Philippines.
The ceremony, held at the Makiling Botanic Gardens, was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Manila, Niyazi Evren Akyol; University of the Philippines Los Baños Vice President, Dr. Marie Amongo; Dean of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Prof. Marlo D. Mendoza; TİKA’s Coordinator in Philippines, İbrahim Katırcı; as well as university faculty members and students.
At the event, 75 myrtle saplings were planted to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and the Philippines, symbolizing the partnership between the two nations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Manila, Akyol highlighted the cultural significance of trees and forests, stating “Planting a tree means planting a seed of hope for a more abundant, prosperous future, and a richer environment.”
Dr. Amongo, Vice President of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, expressed her gratitude to Türkiye for organizing this meaningful event and for its valuable contributions to environmental sustainability. She noted her belief that this collaboration would yield positive outcomes in the future and continue to grow.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Philippines, Katırcı emphasized that the event symbolized the friendship between the two countries and their shared responsibility to protect the environment. He stressed the importance of such environmental initiatives for the well-being of future generations.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) distributed stationery sets and school bags to 1,100 students at Olam Karşigak Secondary School in the Dawlatabad district of Balkh Province.
The distribution ceremony was attended by Kasım Kaban, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Mazar-i-Sharif; Mufti Muhammed Sharif Osmani, Director of National Education for Balkh Province; Kari Muhammed Tahir, District Governor of Devletabad; Mevlevi Zelgeyi Feyzani, District Education Director; Mikail Taşdemir, TİKA’s Coordinator in Mazar-i-Sharif; as well as teachers and students.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Mazar-i-Sharif, Taşdemir, in his speech at the ceremony, highlighted that Olam Karşigak Secondary School was built by TİKA in 2011 and handed over to Afghan authorities.
Taşdemir noted that the renovation and repair of the school, which had sustained damage due to internal conflicts and harsh seasonal conditions, were completed in 2024. Following the reopening of the school, students were provided with stationery sets and school bags to support their educational needs.
He emphasized that TİKA’s commitment to sustainable education initiatives in the region will continue.
Balkh Province National Education Director Mufti Muhammed Sharif Osmani expressed gratitude to TİKA for its contributions to education projects in Afghanistan, underlining that such support significantly enhances the quality of education in the region.
The students shared their joy and appreciation for the gifts that aid their learning journey, while their parents offered prayers for the Turkish state and its people in gratitude for the support provided.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) President Serkan Kayalar conducted bilateral meetings and attended the openings of TİKA projects during his official visit to Azerbaijan.
As part of his program in Azerbaijan, President Kayalar first met with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cahit Bağcı, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Baku. Following this, he visited the Government House with Ambassador Bağcı and met with Adil Kerimli, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
During his visit, President Kayalar also met with Elmaddin Mehdiyev, President of the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan; and Orhan Memmedov, President of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency. During the meetings, TİKA’s ongoing projects in the friendly and brotherly country of Azerbaijan, as well as new opportunities for cooperation, were discussed.
Sumgait Gastrotourism Academy Opens
The Gastrotourism Academy, established in Sumgait—the second-largest city in Azerbaijan—with the aim of training qualified professionals and contributing to employment in the tourism and service sectors, was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by TİKA President Serkan Kayalar. The academy was created in collaboration with TİKA and the Azerbaijan Health and Thermal Tourism Support Association.
The academy was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by Sumgait Deputy, Müşfik Memmedli; Azerbaijan Health and Thermal Tourism Support Association President, Ruslan Guliyev; TiKA’s Central Asia and Caucasus Department Head, Ali Özgün Öztürk; and TİKA’s Coordinator in Baku, Hayrettin Özçelik. The academy aims to provide practical training to more than 4,000 trainees annually across various fields, including waiter services, cooking, barista skills, housekeeping, front office management, tourism agency operations, software development, English language proficiency, and tour guiding.
After completing the opening ceremonies, Kayalar visited TİKA’s Baku Program Coordination Office, where he received a briefing on the office’s operations from TİKA’s Coordinator in Baku, Hayrettin Özçelik.
On the second day of his visit to Azerbaijan, TİKA President Kayalar paid homage to one of Azerbaijan’s greatest literary figures, poet, and thinker Nizami Ganjavi by visiting his mausoleum. He also toured the house of the Şeyhzamanlı family, where Nuri Pasha, the commander of the Caucasian Islamic Army, once stayed, receiving detailed information from the authorities.
Following these visits, Kayalar traveled to Ganja to attend the opening ceremonies of TİKA projects. While in Ganja, he met with Recep Öztop, the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye, to discuss potential steps for enhancing cooperation between institutions within the Turkic World.
Ganja Medical College Youth Center Opened by TİKA President Serkan Kayalar
On the second day of his visit to Azerbaijan, TİKA President Serkan Kayalar inaugurated the Youth Center established by TİKA at Ganja Medical College.
The Youth Center, set up by TİKA within Ganja Medical College—the first health vocational school in Azerbaijan, founded in 1931—features a modern computer infrastructure to provide students with access to electronic libraries. It is also equipped with a sound system and musical instruments for use in music and performing arts, as well as cafeteria and kitchen facilities designed to support students during their studies.
Speaking at the opening, TİKA President Serkan Kayalar remarked, “Nizami Ganjavi once said, ‘Let us be ready to burn like a candle to do something useful for others.’ At TİKA, we strive to reach people wherever they are and bring smiles to their faces. We entrust this center to you, the youth. We hope you will use it to learn, research, have fun, and rest as you wish.”
Following the opening ceremony, students of the college organized music and dance performances at the Youth Center. During the program, Fatima Gocayeva, the winner of the Azerbaijan Ministry of National Education College and Inter-University Song Competition, sang “Çırpınırdı Karadeniz”. As Karabakh War veterans unfurled Turkish and Azerbaijani flags, the audience experienced deeply emotional moments in the hall.
TİKA President Serkan Kayalar Attends World Turkish Coffee Day Event in Ganja
TİKA’s President Serkan Kayalar participated in the World Turkish Coffee Day event organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Ganja as part of his Azerbaijan program. During the event, participants enjoyed various presentations followed by the serving of traditional Turkish coffee.
TİKA Replaces Flags at Turkish Martyrs’ Cemeteries in Azerbaijan
Through a project carried out in collaboration with TİKA and the Azerbaijan-Türkiye Graduate Businessmen and Intellectuals Platform, the worn-out flags at the Turkish Martyrs’ Cemeteries of the Caucasian Islamic Army in Azerbaijan are being replaced. As part of this initiative, TİKA’s President Serkan Kayalar, who was in Azerbaijan for official engagements and project inaugurations, visited the Shamakhi Turkish Martyrs’ Cemetery. During his visit, he personally replaced the Turkish and Azerbaijani flags and offered prayers for the heroic martyrs of the Caucasian Islamic Army.
TİKA Establishes Education Center for Alban-Udi Christian Community in Azerbaijan
On the third day of his Azerbaijan program, TİKA’s President Serkan Kayalar inaugurated the education center used by the Alban-Udi Christian Community, one of the ancient peoples of the Caucasus. The center, renovated and furnished by TİKA, was officially opened in a ceremony held at the site.
Located in the garden of the Chotari Church in the town of Nic, Gabala Province, the education center was fully renovated by TİKA and equipped with computers, smart boards, and modern furniture. It will serve as a hub for various activities, including educational programs for Udi youth and summer camps.
Speaking to the press after the ceremony, Alban-Udi Christian Community President Robert Mobili expressed his gratitude saying, “The establishment of this much-needed education center by TİKA is incredibly valuable to us. We thank Türkiye and TİKA for their support.”
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has opened clean water wells in five districts of Govi-Altai Province, which is battling desertification in Mongolia.
Located approximately 1,100 km from the capital Ulaanbaatar, Govi-Altai Province lies in the Gobi Desert region. The province, which has been severely impacted by the effects of global warming in recent years, faces water scarcity in 79% of its area due to desertification. As a result, local nomadic populations, who rely on animal husbandry for their livelihoods, struggle to find clean water.
To address the drinking water shortage in Govi-Altai Province and provide access to clean water for both people and animals in rural areas, TİKA opened water wells in the Biger, Tsogt, Hohmorit, Chandmani, and Erdene districts. These wells now provide access to clean water for local communities.
Arildiibaatar Geleg, a shepherd who brought his animals to the newly opened well in Chandmani district, shared his experience: “I used to travel long distances to water my animals. Sometimes, when we went too far, some of my animals could not handle the journey and would fall ill or die. Now, with this well, we no longer have to travel such long distances. I would like to thank the Turkish people.”
With this project, approximately 13,000 people in the Biger, Tsogt, Hohmorit, Chandmani, and Erdene districts will have access to clean water from wells that reach a depth of 150 meters. Additionally, 2.5 million animals will benefit from these water wells, alongside the local population.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) continues its initiatives to support farming families involved in agriculture and livestock in the rural areas of North Macedonia.
In regions such as Lozova, Štip, Karbintsi, Radoviš, Konče, Vasilevo, Valandovo, Demir Kapija, Gradsko, Resen, Plasnica, Gostivar, and Centar Župa, where Turkish compatriots form a significant portion of the population, TİKA provided equipment to farmers to enhance milk production.
Milking machines, milk transport canisters, and hygiene materials were distributed to 90 farming families who rely on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods.
The delivery ceremony was attended by TİKA’s Coordinator in Skopje, F. Şeyma Babayiğit; local farmers, and members of the community.
Speaking at the ceremony, TİKA’s Coordinator in Skopje, Babayiğit highlighted that TİKA Skopje Program Coordination Office has been implementing projects across various sectors with a particular focus on agriculture and livestock, in different regions of North Macedonia since 2005.
Babayiğit stated, “Through our projects aimed at farmers in rural areas, we hope families can both consume the dairy products they produce and increase their household incomes by selling them in the local market. In doing so, we also contribute to rural development.”
The farmers who received the equipment expressed their gratitude for the project and thanked Türkiye and TİKA.
The project is designed to raise the income levels of farming families in rural areas by enhancing their infrastructure and technical capabilities, preventing rural depopulation, and supporting the production of high-quality food.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established a 2-hectare Vegetable and Moringa Production Garden in Niger’s Diffa region. The project is equipped with water wells, solar energy systems, and modern farming equipment, designed to assist farmers affected by terrorism and drought.
Communities residing in the rural areas of Diffa, one of Niger’s regions most impacted by acute drought, rely on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods but face significant challenges due to climate-related events. Additionally, the region suffers from the effects of terrorism and its associated demographic impacts. Given its large population, situated near Lake Chad and bordering Nigeria, Diffa has been designated as a priority area for aid and development initiatives.
In this context, TİKA implemented the “Vegetable and Moringa Production Garden” project in Diffa, a rural area of Niger with significant agricultural potential. This initiative, which had previously been successfully executed in Tillabéri, Zinder, and Dosso, was carried out in collaboration with the Niger Ministry of Agriculture and OADEP (Organization for Support to Development and Peace) in the town of N’Gourti, located 300 kilometers north of Diffa’s city center.
The 2-hectare garden was established to support farmers engaged in agricultural activities in N’Gourti, a region characterized by a challenging desert climate and accessible only via a three-day land journey from Niamey. The garden was equipped with essential irrigation and processing infrastructure. As part of the project, it was supplied with two water wells, water tanks, solar energy systems, California-type irrigation systems, seeds, fertilizers, and complementary agricultural tools.
The garden, designed to benefit approximately 100 families and support five women’s cooperatives, was officially handed over to the N’Gourti Municipality. The delivery ceremony was attended by N’Gourti Mayor, Abba Mamane; OADEP President, Djibrin Issa Bana; TİKA’s Representative, Chetima Moustapha Laouel; the N’Gourti Provincial Director of Agriculture and local residents.
During the ceremony, officials highlighted the positive contributions the project would bring to the local community and expressed their gratitude to Türkiye and its people through TİKA. The project aims to enhance food security in the region, diversify agricultural production, enable year-round cultivation beyond the rainy season, provide employment opportunities for women, and address the water needs of surrounding villages.
