Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) is providing hot meals to Arakanese Muslim refugees living in camps in the Cox’s Bazar region of Bangladesh throughout Ramadan.
More than one million Arakanese Muslims, who were forced to flee their homes following the violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017, continue to struggle under difficult conditions in the camps within Bangladesh’s borders. TİKA seeks to alleviate their hardships through emergency humanitarian aid, as well as social and cultural projects aimed at improving their living conditions.
Iftar meals provided during Ramadan
As part of TİKA’s Ramadan programs, 1,000 families living in Camp 16 in Cox’s Bazar receive regular hot meals at iftar time. More than 25,000 Arakanese Muslim refugees are expected to benefit from this initiative, which is being carried out from the distribution point previously established by TİKA. The refugees, who have no means of economic livelihood, are in urgent need of basic necessities, particularly food.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ramis Şen, along with an embassy delegation and representatives of Turkish organizations operating in the field, attended the first iftar distribution of the year.
Ambassador Şen, RRRC Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, representatives of Turkish institutions, and Arakanese refugees gathered for the first iftar of Ramadan in Bangladesh at the kitchen established by TİKA during the 2017 refugee migration.
Various projects implemented in the camps
During the 2017 crisis, TİKA swiftly established a kitchen and provided hot meals to 25,000 people daily. Since then, TİKA has continued to support Arakanese Muslims, implementing various projects within the camps, including playgrounds, learning centers, and multi-purpose facilities.
Arakanese refugees expressed their gratitude to TİKA and Türkiye for the regular meal distributions provided to families identified by camp authorities, stating that they pray for Türkiye. Arakanese Muslims living in the Cox’s Bazar camps deeply appreciate the support and assistance extended by Türkiye.
TİKA’s humanitarian aid efforts for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have remained uninterrupted since the onset of the Myanmar crisis. Meanwhile, Türkiye continues its efforts to draw the attention of the international community to this ongoing humanitarian crisis and to improve the living conditions of Rohingya Muslims.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) modernized sensory and stress rooms, renovated entertainment areas, and established a computer classroom at Taman Sinar Harapan Ziyad Zolkefli Cheras Nursing Home for autistic children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Operating under the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development, the center provides specialized care for autistic children. As part of its support, TİKA renovated the facility’s sensory and stress rooms to enhance therapy sessions and learning experiences. Additionally, a new computer classroom has been set up to help children develop their digital skills.
The project was inaugurated with the participation of Emir Salim Yüksel, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Kuala Lumpur; Dr. Ümit Naci Yorulmaz, Vice President of TİKA; and officials from Malaysia’s Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, TİKA’s Vice President Yorulmaz emphasized that TİKA prioritizes projects for disadvantaged groups in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and stated: “We are honored to stand in solidarity today with our brothers and sisters under the protection of the Malaysian state. In 2023, we took the first step by establishing a computer laboratory here. In 2024, we modernized the center’s sensory and stress rooms to create better-equipped spaces. We believe that empowering the most vulnerable members of society is key to building a stronger future.”
About Taman Sinar Harapan Ziyad Zolkefli Cheras Nursing Home
The center in Kuala Lumpur provides care, protection, rehabilitation, and education to approximately 100 autistic children with learning disabilities. Across the country, more than 1,000 Malay, Chinese, and Indian individuals benefit from similar support at seven different centers. Those without family support receive lifelong care and protection while being taught essential daily living skills.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation Disaster Management jointly organized an Advanced Urban Search and Rescue Training program with the participation of 30 volunteers from the Sindh Scouts Association and the Alkhidmat Foundation.
Volunteers who successfully completed the training program were awarded certificates at a ceremony. The event was attended by former Ombudsman of Sindh Province, Aijaz Ali Khan; TİKA’s Coordinator in Karachi, Halil İbrahim Başaran; Director General of Colleges of Sindh Province, Dr. Navaid Rab Siddiqui; IHH Disaster Management Trainers, the Karachi Metropolitan Municipality urban search and rescue team, and numerous distinguished guests.
Former Ombudsman of Sindh Province, Ali Khan, stated that disasters frequently occur in Sindh and emphasized the importance of such training programs.
TİKA Coordinator Başaran highlighted that the long-standing efforts initiated in Pakistan following the devastating floods and the earthquakes in Türkiye are ongoing, and this training program has further strengthened cooperation.
Scout team leader Tauhid Fatima, one of the volunteers who participated in the training, shared that they had an excellent training experience, learning the values of teamwork and perseverance. Fatima expressed her excitement about participating in every training program organized by TİKA and conveyed her gratitude to TİKA for providing this opportunity and to the IHH disaster management trainers for their invaluable contributions.
Search and rescue training to continue with TİKA’s support
As part of the search and rescue training program launched in 2023, a total of four training sessions have been conducted in Pakistan so far. The program, structured in two main phases—search and rescue in natural environments and urban search and rescue—has successfully reached its final stages. Additionally, the third phase, focusing on search and rescue in water, is scheduled to take place in Türkiye.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Indonesia, has supported the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants on an 8,000-square-meter plot to improve healthcare and enhance the economic well-being of the Baduy tribe, which continues to uphold its traditional way of life.
The Baduy tribe, comprising 15,000 people in the Lebak Regency of Indonesia’s Banten province, has lived in harmony with nature for centuries, adhering to age-old traditions. Rejecting modern medical treatments, they rely exclusively on herbal and natural remedies to treat ailments. The Baduy people, who shun modern conveniences such as electricity, telephones, and hospitals, reside in bamboo houses and sustain themselves through agriculture and livestock farming.
As part of the project carried out in cooperation with TİKA and the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Indonesia, the cultivation of eight different medicinal and aromatic plants on an 8,000-square-meter plot was encouraged to address the health needs of the Baduy tribe and support their economic development. This initiative not only ensured the sustainable production of plants used in traditional medicine—many of which are scarce in nature—but also created a new source of livelihood for the tribe.
As part of the project, TİKA’s Vice President Dr. Ümit Naci Yorulmaz, along with academics, undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Indonesia, joined Baduy tribe members during the harvest period. Dr. Yorulmaz emphasized that the project holds great significance not only for healthcare but also for economic and cultural sustainability.
With TİKA’s support, the project aims to preserve the traditional knowledge of the Baduy people while promoting a healthier lifestyle and strengthening their economic well-being.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided a mobile hemodialysis unit to the National Centre for Prevention and Treatment of Renal Failure to support patients battling kidney disease in Côte d’Ivoire.
Due to the rising prevalence of kidney disease, the center has been struggling to meet the increasing demand for treatment. In response, TİKA has supplied a state-of-the-art mobile dialysis unit,
which will enable healthcare professionals to reach patients in remote areas where treatment centers are unavailable and provide care in their homes. This initiative is expected to benefit approximately 5,000 patients annually, making a significant contribution to the country’s health infrastructure.
Speaking at the delivery ceremony, Pierre N’Gou Dimba, Minister of Health and Public Hygiene of Côte d’Ivoire, expressed his gratitude to Türkiye, stating: “This high-tech portable dialysis unit can be used in emergency rooms and in the homes of critically ill patients. Additionally, its integrated water purification system will enhance its efficiency. This valuable support is a testament to our strong cooperation with Türkiye in the field of healthcare.”
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Abidjan, Deniz Erdoğan Barım highlighted that the advanced dialysis unit provided by TİKA would bring significant relief to patients suffering from kidney failure. Emphasizing that this initiative further strengthens Türkiye-Côte d’Ivoire health cooperation, Barım added that TİKA and the private sector will continue expanding their efforts in this field.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided machinery and equipment support for a project aimed at addressing Kenya’s waste management challenges.
In collaboration with the Mudavadi Foundation, established by Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, TİKA has supported three youth-led cooperatives in Nairobi by supplying the necessary machinery and equipment for carbon briquette production.
The Roysambu, Soweto, and Green Army cooperatives, which received their equipment at a delivery ceremony in Nairobi’s Githurai district, will soon begin production, contributing to both economic empowerment and environmentally friendly energy solutions.
Thanks to the equipment provided to cooperatives operating in Nairobi’s commercial districts of Githurai, Roysambu, and Kasarani, organic waste materials will be sorted, grounded, and converted into charcoal powder using carbonization machines. The processed material will then be transformed into fuel through briquetting machines.
This eco-friendly project will create employment opportunities for young people while contributing to sustainable energy solutions by producing carbon briquettes from recycled waste. Notable for their eight-hour burn time, these briquettes will serve as an energy source in the local market.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) distributed Ramadan food parcels to 250 families from the Muslim community in El Salvador.
As part of its Ramadan support efforts, TİKA provided food assistance to the Muslim community in El Salvador. The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in San Salvador and Comunidad Islámica Hispanoamericana, the umbrella organization for Muslims in the country, ensured that 250 families received essential food packages during the holy month.
A total of 100 parcels were distributed to those in need at the Dar-Ibrahim Mosque in the capital, San Salvador, while 75 parcels were delivered at the Palestine Mosque (Mezquita Palestina Tierra Santa) in Santa Ana and another 75 at the Rebirth Mosque (Mezquita Renacer) in Nahuizalco.
The distribution ceremony in San Salvador was attended by Gül Büyükerşen, Türkiye’s Ambassador to San Salvador, along with Emerson Bukele, the leader of El Salvador’s Muslim community, and the brother of President Nayib Bukele.
With the support of TİKA and the Embassy of Türkiye in San Salvador, an iftar program will be organized on March 6 during Ramadan, bringing together members of the Muslim community in El Salvador.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural equipment to support agricultural production and reclaim idle land in the Republic of Guinea.
Agriculture is the primary livelihood for most of Guinea’s population. As part of the country’s National Rural Development Program, a 20-year plan has been launched to enhance agricultural activities in rural areas, advance productivity, and bring unused farmland back into cultivation.
Under this initiative, TİKA, in collaboration with the Boké Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Guinea, has supplied local farmers with essential agricultural equipment, seeds, and fertilizers to improve yields.
This project, implemented with TİKA’s support, aims to contribute to Guinea’s economy, reduce rural unemployment, and enhance food security by increasing the production capacity of local farmers.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established an argan and olive oil cold-pressing workshop at the Timimoun Desert Agriculture Research Institute to support desert agriculture in Algeria’s Timimoun region.
Located 1,200 kilometers from the capital, Algiers, the Timimoun region has seen successful efforts in cultivating olive and argan trees. With TİKA’s support, approximately 10,000 olive and argan trees planted as part of the project have been producing yields for the past two years.
To further enhance these efforts, TİKA established an argan and olive oil cold pressing workshop within the Timimoun Desert Agriculture Research Institute to provide training for local farmers.
The workshop was inaugurated by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Algeria, Muhammet Mücahit Küçükyılmaz; and the Governor of Timimoun, Sune Ben Ömer. Many olive and argan producers from the region attended the opening ceremony.
Following the ceremony, Ambassador Küçükyılmaz and Governor Ben Ömer toured and assessed the facility.
The opening ceremony for the Tripoli Port Service Infrastructure Development Project, implemented by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), was held in Lebanon.
The project, aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of Tripoli Port—one of northern Lebanon’s key trade hubs and a vital point for commercial ties with Türkiye—was inaugurated with the participation of Sheikh Muhammed Imam, Mufti of Tripoli and North Lebanon; Ahmed Tamer, General Director of Lebanese Land and Maritime Transport; Sermet Sidavi, Chief Prosecutor of North Lebanon; and Halid al-Hayr, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Lebanese University Tripoli.
As part of the project, several infrastructure enhancements were made to improve the experience for passengers and drivers who had previously faced long waiting times at Tripoli Port. These improvements included the renovation of the passenger waiting room, the construction of a mosque, and the creation of a rest area for drivers.
“Tripoli holds a special place in our hearts”
Ambassador Ömer Engin Lütem emphasized the important role Tripoli Port plays in trade with Türkiye and noted that the city continues to hold significant weight in the economy due to its rich culture and historical depth.
He shared that after recently presenting his letter of credence to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, he felt compelled to visit Tripoli. “After presenting my letter of credence to President Aoun, I wanted to come to Tripoli. I knew it was a city that holds a very special place in our hearts,” Lütem stated.
Expressing his appreciation for the warm welcome he received, Lütem said, “I was welcomed like a family member in Tripoli. In line with Türkiye’s principled foreign policy, TİKA continues its projects here.”
“This connection between Türkiye and Tripoli has expanded”
Tamer, the General Manager of Lebanon’s Land and Maritime Transport, highlighted the significance of Tripoli Port for Türkiye in terms of trade and transportation. Drawing attention to the long-standing and close relations between Tripoli and Türkiye, Tamer stated, “With this project, the connection between Türkiye and Tripoli has expanded.” He further explained, “Trucks from Türkiye use Tripoli Port extensively. Trucks from Azerbaijan and Iran also pass through Türkiye to reach here.”
Tamer also emphasized the strong relationship and cooperation between Tripoli Port and Mersin’s Taşucu Port, saying “We have a significant partnership with Taşucu Port. We have always collaborated, especially during times of crisis.”
The Mersin Taşucu-Tripoli route: A key link in the Türkiye-Middle East supply network
The Mersin Taşucu-Tripoli route serves as a crucial logistical backbone for trade between Türkiye and Lebanon with over 100 drivers arriving at the Port of Tripoli each week via Ro-Ro ships from Türkiye. Thanks to the recent improvements, passengers and drivers waiting at the port will now be able to enjoy more comfortable conditions and travel on the Mersin-Tripoli route will be much more convenient.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established a textile workshop equipped with state-of-the-art technology at Bentong Prison in Malaysia, providing rehabilitation opportunities for inmates. The facility has the capacity to accommodate 55 individuals at a time.
In Pahang, where the prison is located, various vocational training programs are in place to support the reintegration of 3,500 inmates into society. As part of these efforts, TİKA launched a textile workshop equipped with modern machinery, aiming to help inmates acquire professional skills and facilitate their reintegration into the workforce.
The opening ceremony of the workshop was attended by Emir Saim Yüksel, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Kuala Lumpur; Dr. Naci Yorulmaz, Vice President of TİKA; Ahmad Kâmil, Director of the Prison; and Zulia Binti Khamis, Director of the Department of International Relations and Prisoner Transfer at Malaysia’s Ministry of Justice.
Speaking at the ceremony, TİKA Vice President Dr. Naci Yorulmaz highlighted the agency’s commitment to people-oriented projects worldwide and stated, “Today, we are taking an important step toward ensuring a life worthy of human dignity. Through similar initiatives in many countries—from Albania to Somalia and from Latin America to Africa—we empower disadvantaged individuals to achieve economic independence. This project is not just a vocational training program, it is a doorway to hope.”
Dr. Yorulmaz also emphasized the invaluable support of Queen Tunku Azizah of Pahang for the initiative, underscoring that such collaborations further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between Türkiye and Malaysia.
Khamis, an official from the Malaysian Ministry of Justice, expressed their satisfaction in collaborating with TİKA and stated, “Projects like these, which aim to reintegrate prisoners into society and help them lead dignified lives, highlight the humanitarian aspect of our approach to justice. We believe in reconnecting people to life, not cutting them off from it. Everyone deserves a second chance. Through these workshops, we are working to support prisoners in their reintegration into society, and we look forward to realizing more projects in partnership with TİKA.”
The textile workshop, established with TİKA’s support, will not only equip prisoners with vocational skills to facilitate their reintegration into society but also allow them to receive a share of the income generated.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established the “Cezeri Lab”, a digital design and production laboratory, at Tashkent Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Uzbekistan. The facility was officially inaugurated with a ceremony.
The event was attended by TİKA’s Education Projects Coordinator, Mustafa Haşim Polat; TİKA’s Coordinator in Tashkent, Ali Rıza Tezcan; Tashkent Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering Rector, Bahrom Tolaganov; along with university officials and students.
During the event, participants toured the laboratory and received detailed information about its capabilities, which included 3D design, modeling and production, robotics, and mechatronics studies.
Training on the use of equipment provided
The laboratory is fully equipped with a 3D printer, 3D scanner, laser cutting and CNC cutting machines, a lathe machine, computers, robotic training sets, and various other mechanical and electronic tools, all supplied by Türkiye. Additionally, Turkish experts assigned by TİKA provided comprehensive training for university staff on machine operation, equipment usage, 3D design and modeling, and robotic coding in two phases—first in Uzbekistan and later in Türkiye.
Following the inauguration, TİKA’s Education Projects Coordinator Polat highlighted that the project was named after Ismail al-Jazari, the renowned inventor and engineer who lived in Anatolia during the Artuqid period. He also noted that similar laboratories had previously been established in various countries worldwide.
Polat emphasized that with the state-of-the-art mechanical and electronic tools available in the laboratory, students and academics will have the opportunity to develop engineering projects, design prototypes, and create tangible models of their concepts.
Rector of Tashkent Architecture and Civil Engineering Institute, Tolaganov, highlighted that nearly 10,000 students are enrolled in 16 disciplines at the university. He stated that the laboratory, established with TİKA’s support, will significantly contribute to enhancing the quality of education and providing students with hands-on experience in emerging fields. Tolaganov expressed his gratitude to the Turkish authorities for their support in setting up the facility.
The “Cezeri Lab” project, implemented by TİKA in various countries, serves as a platform for academics, researchers, and students to engage in design, production, and research and development (R&D) studies.
