Within the scope of the “Sağlığa Dost Eli-4 Project,” which was carried out for the fourth time this year in cooperation with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and Dost Eli Association, Turkish physicians provided free health services to thousands of Chadian citizens in the Ndjari district.
The lack of healthcare infrastructure in Chad, one of the poorest countries not only in Africa but also in the world, is one of the most important factors that make people’s daily lives harder.
This year, as in previous years, thousands of Chadian citizens benefited from the health project carried out at Nama Hospital in the Ndjari district, the 8th Region of the capital N’Djamena.
With the health project carried out in cooperation with the Dost Eli Association, Turkish physicians provided free health services to Chadians of all ages. A Turkish healthcare team of 12 people, 10 of whom are healthcare professionals from 5 different branches, provided free healthcare services to 5,328 people over the course of one week. In addition, medicines and medical supplies brought from Türkiye were distributed to patients free of charge.
Within the scope of the health services provided by the Turkish healthcare team, completely free of charge, treatment was provided to 685 patients in the pediatrics branch, 693 patients in the otorhinolaryngology branch, and 466 patients in the surgical examination branch. 653 patients received dental treatment and 725 patients had tooth extractions. 49 surgeries were performed and 2,057 boys were circumcised throughout the project.
At the end of the week-long health project, which was successfully completed, the Chad Ministry of Health thanked the Turkish healthcare team by awarding them certificates of appreciation.
The foundation of the preschool which is to be built by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, was laid.
With the aim of facilitating the educational life of female students and instructors at Bibi Ayşe Sıdıka Darul Uloom (Islamic Institute), which is located in the Mamurin region of the capital Kabul, TİKA’s Kabul Office is building a preschool within the school campus.This initiative will provide a space for the children of these female students and instructors to spend time.
The project aims to enable women to drop their children off at preschool and attend their classes.
The Head of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Türkiye in Kabul, Cenk Ünal; TİKA’s Coordinator in Kabul, Fazıl Akın Erdoğan; the General Director of Afghanistan Islamic Institutes, Abdul Kudüs and officials of TİKA Kabul Office attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
The construction of the preschool, called “TİKA Şefkat Eli”, which will serve 40 children aged between 1-3 and 3-6 years, is expected to be completed and delivered within 4 months.
Taking the floor at the ceremony, TİKA’s Coordinator in Kabul, Erdoğan, stated that they attach importance to projects targeting children and young people, and added that their support for Afghanistan will continue.
Expressing that Türkiye always stands by Afghanistan, the General Director of Afghanistan Islamic Institutes, Kudüs, stated that the aid they receive, especially from Turkish institutions, delights them.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) implemented the “Reusable Sanitary Pad Production” project with the aim of supporting women’s employment in Ethiopia. Türkiye’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Berk Baran; TİKA’s Program Coordinator in Addis Ababa, Cengiz Polat; Yetim Children Care Center General Manager, Sheikh Kemal Abdulhakim Feki and the women working in the production workshop were present at the opening ceremony of the project.
Following his inspections at the workshop, Ambassador Baran expressed his gratitude to TİKA for their support to the project.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Addis Ababa, Polat, also expressed that they have been carrying out activities to increase women’s employment and hygiene standards in Ethiopia.
Indicating that they have completed more than 200 projects in different regions of Ethiopia until now, Polat stated that the workshop, which features criteria such as sustainability, environmental awareness, prioritizing disadvantaged groups, centralising education, focusing on people and development, and especially women’s employment, is an exemplary project.
In the workshop, where fifteen thousand sanitary pads are produced in a month, orphaned youth and women receive vocational training, thus prioritizing their employment opportunities.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) continues its humanitarian aid activities in Gaza, Palestine, where Israeli attacks persist.
As a result of the ongoing attacks in Gaza since October 7, 28 thousand Palestinians have lost their lives, 68 thousand people have been injured, and the city’s infrastructure and superstructure have suffered extensive damage. During this challenging period, the limited amount of aid that is allowed into Gaza can only address a part of the needs.
As a result of the forced migration of people residing in the northern and central regions of the city to the southern parts, 1.7 million people have been displaced, and 500 thousand Gazans who stayed in the northern and central regions continue to take shelter in these regions. In these blockaded regions, not only staple food products but also animal feed are on the brink of depletion.
Food packages have been distributed
As part of field works and activities of emergency humanitarian aid, food packages have been distributed in the central and northern regions of Gaza. A total of 1,000 food packages containing staple products like rice, oil, tomato paste, broth, tea, and sugar have been delivered to families in need.
After the onset of the war, TİKA had already provided various forms of assistance such as medical supplies, food packages, sheltering material, and winter clothing.
The Vice President of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), Dr. Ümit Naci Yorulmaz paid an official working visit to Central America.
TİKA’s Vice President, Dr. Ümit Naci Yorulmaz, was accompanied by Türkiye’s Ambassador to San José (accredited to Nicaragua), Fatma Pihava Ünlü during his visit to Nicaragua, and by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Panama, Gülhan Ulutekin, during his visit to Panama.
During their visit to Nicaragua, Yorulmaz and the accompanying delegation held meetings with the Chief Advisor to the Presidency on International Cooperation, Tourism and Trade, Laureano Ortega Murillo; the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, General Oscar Mojica; the Minister of Health, Dr. Martha Reyes Alvarez; the Minister of Development, Industry and Trade, Jesús Bermúdez Carvajal; the Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Heyddy Calderón; Chief Advisor to the Presidency on Climate Change, Javier Gutiérrez; the Executive President of the Nicaraguan Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INPESCA), Edward Jackson; the Minister of Education, Mendy Arauz; the Advisor for Education to the Presidency, Salvador Vanegas; the President of INATEC (the National Technology Institute), Loída Barreda; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nicaragua, Ovidio Reyes; the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Bosco Castillo; the Executive President of the Nicaraguan Company of Sanitary Aqueducts and Sewers, Ervin Barreda; the Director of the Touristic Development Office of the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism INTUR, Mara Stotti; the Co-director of INTUR, Anasha Campbell and the Mayor of Managua, Reyna Rueda.
In the first meeting of the official working visit, the Chief Advisor to the Presidency, Laureano Ortega Murillo thanked Dr. Yorulmaz and the Ambassador Ünlü for their visit, and also expressed his gratitude to the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for supporting Nicaragua’s development.
During the high-level officials’ meetings held within the scope of the visit, the issues such as TİKA’s development projects in Nicaragua that prioritize the country’s developmental needs, the implementation of institutional cooperation and experience-sharing programs, and mutual visits by the two countries’ officials aiming at improving trade between Türkiye and Nicaragua were also discussed.
Official talks were also held in Panama
Following the visit to Nicaragua, Yorulmaz and the accompanying delegation proceeded to Panama, and first attended the delivery and opening ceremony of the Equipment Support Project to Panama Children’s Hospital.
The Ambassador Ulutekin; the Vice Minister of Health of Panama, Ivette Odalys Berrío; bureaucrats from the Ministry of Health; organization directors and doctors attended the ceremony.
Berrío stated that the project is highly important, especially for infant health and nutrition, and thanked TİKA for the project.
After the opening ceremony, Yorulmaz and his delegation visited Panamanian Deputy Foreign Minister Yill del Carmen Otero in her office.
Otero expressed her appreciation with TİKA’s visit, and also thanked TİKA for their contribution to the relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, development cooperation and joint projects, which are to improve the relations between the two countries, were discussed with officials from the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Additionally, potential project areas were visited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation.
Nkol Mvak Integrated Health Center, which is located in the Sa’a district of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, following the renovation works of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), was put back into service after being equipped with medical devices.
The severely damaged roof, walls, doors and windows, as well as the plumbing system of Nkol Mvak Integrated Health Center, which has been operating in the village of Nkol Mvak under the Ministry of Public Health of Cameroon since 1970, were renewed and put into service. In addition, within the scope of the renovation by TİKA, the health center’s service capacity was increased by installing electrical wiring in order to store medicine, use various medical equipment, and carry out diagnosis and treatments in a healthy manner.
The need for clean water of the health center and the local people was met
The delivery room of the health center, which features the pediatrics department, an operating room, laboratories and patient rooms, was non-operational due to a lack of materials and equipment.However, it has been renovated and improved as part of the project. The water tank, which was built to ensure the necessary hygiene conditions and provide access to clean water, was integrated into the renewed plumbing system, thereby meeting the need for clean water for both the health center and the local people.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Yaoundé, Volkan Işıkçı; the Mayor of Sa’a, Jean Blaise Messina Noah; the President of Nkol Mvak and Young Citizens Collective (COJERENKE), Christophe Awono and TİKA officials attended the opening ceremony.
“People no longer need to travel long distances to receive healthcare”
During his speech at the ceremony, the President of COJERENKE Awono stated that people no longer need to travel long distances to access healthcare, and added that the reopening of the delivery room is the cornerstone of the project. Awono expressed his gratitude to TİKA for their support.
Stating that they are grateful to Türkiye on behalf of the people of Nkol Mvak village and the surrounding area, the Mayor of Sa’a Noah said, “Türkiye’s development aid model deserves admiration as TİKA develops its projects in line with the countries’ needs and priorities.”
Within the scope of the project, the health center, operating again at full capacity, is expected to provide healthcare service to more than 15 thousand people annually. The project also aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the region.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided technological equipment to the Financial Police Office affiliated with the Ministry of Finance of North Macedonia.
The director of the Financial Police Office of North Macedonia, Goran Ivanov; TİKA’s Coordinator in Skopje, Mehmet Bayrak; representatives from both the Financial Police Office and TİKA attended the delivery ceremony of the equipment.
In his statement, the Director of the Financial Police Office Ivanov expressed gratitude TİKA and Türkiye for their support to the Financial Police Office, which is at the forefront in combating organized crime and corruption.
Stating that his colleagues will work more efficiently thanks to the technological support, Ivanov emphasized that this project is of great importance in transforming into a modern and professional institution. Ivanov also expressed that the agreement is not only a donation but also a confirmation of the presence of a strong friend and supporter.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Skopje, Bayrak, also stated that they have implemented approximately 1200 projects in various fields in North Macedonia since 2005.
Noting that they continue to strengthen their cooperations with public organizations and institutions, Bayrak said, “I believe that the equipment, which will contribute to the technical capacity of the Financial Police Office, is to reinforce the office’s work in the fight against organized crime, and I hope that the project will be beneficial to both the Financial Police Office and its employees.”
Within the scope of the project “Renewal of Information Technology Equipment of the Financial Police Office and Installation of Forensic Laboratory Computer Operation System,” TİKA renewed the information technology equipment of the Financial Police Office, which included 60 office computers, 60 monitors, 30 scanners, 2 special document scanners, 4 high-resolution monitors and 30 external hard drives. Additionally, TİKA installed a special computer system to be used in the forensic laboratory.
Within the context of TİKA’s project, the files on which the Financial Police Office works have become more protected in terms of cybersecurity as information technology and forensic equipment have been provided and an intranet network system has been installed inside the offices.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) renovated the “Cane Basket Workshop” within the Cape Town Society for the Blind (CTSB), which implements projects for individuals with visual impairments, in order to improve the workshop’s technical capacity, and has provided necessary equipment support, enabling the society to sustain its activities.
Through a project carried out in cooperation with TİKA and the Cape Town Society for the Blind (CTSB), aimed at developing vocational training and skills of the visually impaired, ensuring humane working conditions and eliminating social inequality, the “Cane Workshop” operating within the society was renovated, and office chairs, work benches as well as storage cabinets were provided.
The Minister of Social Development in South Africa, Lindiwe Zulu; the Republic of Türkiye’s Ambassador to South Africa, Ayşegül Kandaş; Mandla Mandela’s wife, Rabia Mandela; Muslim Community leaders; CTSB staff and various media representatives attended the opening ceremony of the project.
During her speech at the opening ceremony, CTSB Director Jenepher Ibbotson expressed her gratitude to TİKA for providing the necessary support to CTSB, which has been operating for 95 years in the country, enabling the society to continue its projects for the visually impaired.
During her speech, Ambassador Kandaş stated that the projects implemented by TİKA in South Africa have been improving every year in terms of number, scope and quality, and the projects will have covered all nine regions by 2024. She also reminded that South Africa was one of the first countries to aid Türkiye during earthquakes, expressing her gratitude.
During her speech, Minister of Social Development Mrs. Lindiwe Zulu underlined that the egalitarian vision which was developed by South Africa during the fight against apartheid also includes disabled people. She also emphasized the importance of a vision of a country where differences such as religion, gender and disability coexist harmoniously, and where everyone can advance under equal conditions.Zulu thanked TİKA and the Turkish people for their contribution to this vision.
One of the project beneficiaries and a small business operator within CTSB, visually impaired Colin Willemse expressed his satisfaction with the renovation of the workshops, which were significantly worn out and no longer allowed them to work efficiently and healthily.Willemse also appreciated the materials provided, all with the contribution of TİKA.
The Minister of Social Development, Türkiye’s Ambassador, TİKA’s Coordinator and CTSB staff visited and inspected the workshop after the opening ceremony.
CTSB was founded in 1929 by a group of visually impaired women as the Cape Town Civilian Blind Society. The community, which initially offered only cane weaving workshops, eventually expanded to provide accommodation, health, education, and social development services for the visually impaired. Visually impaired individuals, operating as small business units, have been making and selling cane products created with bamboo sticks, and this is how the community has generated income since 1935.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided medical equipment to “Atatürk National Children’s Hospital”, the second largest hospital in Afghanistan.
Devices such as Echo Ultrasound Machine, 10 patient monitors, and 50 bed head units which provide electricity, oxygen, air and have a function of tracheal suctioning were delivered to the hospital.
The Chargé d’Affaires and Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Kabul, Cenk Ünal; Deputy Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan, Maulvi Habibullah Akhundzada; General Director of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Public Health, Maulvi Muhammad Dawud Mansuri; Chief Physician of Atatürk Children’s Hospital, Nurullah Mansur and hospital staff attended the delivery ceremony of the hospital equipment.
Hospital departments’ standards have been improved
The medical equipment provided by TİKA will improve the standards of the hospital’s new departments and provide effective service to a wider patient group. In addition, the hospital is no longer dependent on portable oxygen cylinders, thanks to the bed head units, and has the opportunity to respond the emergencies more effectively and rapidly.
During his speech, the Chargé d’Affaires of Kabul Embassy, Ünal stated that the Republic of Türkiye makes efforts to implement projects which touch people’s lives. He also underlined that TİKA is an important institution which paves the way for aid to reach sister countries.
Deputy Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan, Akhundzada, noted that Türkiye continues its aid in different areas, and there is a strong bond between the two nations.
Atatürk National Children’s Hospital mainly serves patients who are in need since it is a public hospital. Thanks to the newly provided medical equipment, the hospital has addressed an important need by offering free medical analysis to patients who previously had to visit private hospitals.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established a manuscript digitization laboratory at the Raqqada National Museum of Islamic Art in Tunisia.
Tunisian Minister of Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hayet Ketat-Guermazi; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tunisia, Çağlar Fahri Çakıralp; TİKA’s Vice President, Rahman Nurdun; TİKA’s Coordinator to Tunisia; Ali Fuat Cebaci and local administrators attended the opening ceremony which was held at the National Laboratory for the Preservation and Conservation of Parchment and Manuscripts, affiliated to the Raqqada National Museum of Islamic Art in Kairouan, Tunisia.
Vedi Misavi, who is in charge of the laboratory, said,
“Some of the manuscripts preserved in the Raqqada National Museum of Islamic Art date back to the 2nd Hijri century. The majority of these works are among the rare manuscripts of the Islamic world, written in Kufic and Maghribi scripts. Many Qur’ans are also present among these manuscripts. Additionally, there are Fiqh books belonging to the Maliki school.”
Stating that they aim to digitize manuscripts without damage in the laboratory which was established and equipped with modern, high-end devices by TİKA, Misavi said, “The system we are to use will enable the rapid digitization of the manuscripts and also prevent these works from being damaged.”
“Our objective is to preserve our cultural heritage and pass it on to the next generations”
Pointing out that preserving cultural heritage and passing it on to the next generations are among TİKA’s objectives, TİKA’s Coordinator in Tunisia, Cebeci, said, “Türkiye and Tunisia share a long-standing, common history and culture. Within the scope of our collaboration with the Raqqada National Laboratory for the Preservation and Conservation of Parchment and Manuscripts, we have implemented the digitization project of works, including the very rare manuscripts such as Mushaf al-Hadina and Mushaf al-Azraq.”
Cebeci also expressed that in the forthcoming days, they will carry out activities, including personnel training, for mutual experience sharing.
TİKA, which started its activities in the country in 2012, has carried out more than 200 projects and activities, especially in education field, with a total value of over 50 million dollars.
“The Legume Production Development Project” in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been implemented with the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
The promotional program for the project, which has been carried out in cooperation with TİKA, the TRNC Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), and aims to cultivate high value-added products suitable for Northern Cyprus’ climate, was held at the Türkmenköy Agricultural Research Institute.
During his speech at the program, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Nicosia, Metin Feyzioğlu, stated that Türkiye and the TRNC have always stood hand in hand, and said that TİKA has won the hearts of Turkish Cypriots.
Noting that TİKA has endeared to the people in the TRNC by providing great support to women’s cooperatives as well as agriculture and animal husbandry, Feyzioğlu expressed hope that such an important project would be beneficial.
Pointing out that Türkiye and the TRNC have a shared future and common aspirations, Feyzioğlu underlined that Türkiye will always support the TRNC across all areas.
The Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the TRNC, Hüseyin Çavuş, noted that the “The Legume Production Development Project” carried out with TİKA’s support is of great importance in the context of the country’s self-reliance. He also said, “Northern Cyprus has an annual legume consumption of 3 million dollars. Thanks to the project, an added-value of 3 million dollars will be used within the country.”
Reminding that TİKA has supported more than 150 projects in four years in the TRNC, TİKA’s President Serkan Kayalar stated that agriculture and animal husbandry projects are among their priorities.
Expressing that with “The Legume Production Development Project” the primary aim is to grow green lentils and beans and improve production, Kayalar noted that they will continue their cooperation with the TRNC Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in other fields as well.
KTTO President Turgay Deniz and other officials attended the program.
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ersin Tatar received President of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), Serkan Kayalar, who is in Nicosia to pay several formal visits.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Nicosia, Havva Pınar Özcan was also present at the meeting held at the TRNC Presidency office.
During his speech at the reception, President Tatar pointed out the importance of TİKA’s presence, which also maintains offices in 61 countries, in the TRNC in terms of strengthening ties with Türkiye. He stated that a stronger Türkiye means a stronger TRNC.
Tatar noted the prominence of the projects implemented in his country by TİKA, aiming to ensure the enduring presence of the Turkish people in Cyprus, the continued existence of the TRNC as an independent Turkish state in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the ability of the next generation to look to the future with confidence. He also said, “TİKA is a precious and important organization for the TRNC. I would like to thank TİKA for their efforts to share the history and culture of the TRNC and to increase the country’s productivity.”
Providing Tatar with information about the organization’s international projects during the meeting, TİKA’s President, Serkan Kayalar, stated that they do their utmost through the projects that they have initiated in order to make the lives of Turkish Cypriots easier.
Emphasizing their commitment to TİKA’s Nicosia Office, Kayalar added that further projects intended for the TRNC would continue.
