Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) distributed aid packages to 3,000 families whose homes were inundated by heavy rains in Bangladesh. Additionally, a Mobile Clinic Vehicle was sent to the flood-affected areas.
Heavy rains in Bangladesh since August 20 have led to widespread flooding across many regions of the country. Areas such as Moulvibazar, Lakshmipur, Habiganj, Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram and Noakhali have experienced significant flooding of roads and homes. The main highway connecting the capital, Dhaka with the country’s second-largest city, Chattogram was closed due to the floods. Disaster victims have been accommodated in shelters and public buildings, including schools.
TİKA prepared aid packages containing essential food items, water purification tablets and hygiene materials for distribution to 3,000 families in Feni, Lakshmipur and Noakhali. The distributions were conducted in collaboration with Bangladeshi authorities, fire departments and NGOs.
Some of the emergency aid packages prepared by TİKA for those affected by the floods were delivered to the victims by the Bangladesh search and rescue team, who had previously been sent to Türkiye after the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023.
Free Health Services Provided to Thousands of Flood Victims
Alongside the aid distribution efforts, TİKA sent a Mobile Clinic Vehicle to the flood zone. On the first day, the mobile clinic, staffed by volunteer doctors and health workers, conducted health screenings and distributed medicine at Atatürk Model High School in Feni. Over the past week, the clinic provided health services to flood victims in the Feni and Noakhali regions of Bangladesh. Serving nearly 6,000 people, the mobile clinic focused particularly on groups with limited access to healthcare such as children, women and the elderly.
Treatment and medication support were provided for skin diseases and waterborne illnesses that increased after the floods, along with awareness-raising activities on disease prevention.
TİKA’s mobile clinic is scheduled to remain in the region for at least one more month to address epidemic risks and post-disaster trauma cases.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) set up three tilapia fish farms in Kisumu, Kenya, for fisher families who lost their livelihoods due to heavy rainfall.
Located one kilometer from the Paga Coast of Lake Victoria, these fish farms contribute to Kenya’s blue economy strategy and help sustain artisanal fisheries.
Stocked with 30,000 juvenile fish and provided with a year’s supply of fish feed, the farms aim to revitalize the local economy, diversify livelihoods, and promote sustainable food security.
Each farm is expected to produce 20,000 adult tilapia per harvest, with two harvests planned annually.
The modern fish farms, established with TİKA’s support, are located in a flood-resistant area of the lake and provide fishing families with new opportunities by increasing productivity.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Ochieng Owili expressed that the project will help mitigate poverty, reduce unemployment and address economic inequalities in the region. He also extended his gratitude to Türkiye and the Turkish people.
As part of a project carried out in cooperation with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Marikina City Municipality, medicines were provided to 900 patients in need who are being treated for hypertension and diabetes, which are widespread in the Philippines. In addition, 100 wheelchairs were distributed to individuals with disabilities.
The distribution ceremony was attended by Turkish Ambassador to Manila, Niyazi Evren Akyol; TİKA’s Coordinator in Manila, İbrahim Katırcı; Marikina Vice Mayor, Marion Andres; staff from the Marikina Health Center and local residents.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Akyol highlighted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and the Philippines and that Türkiye’s ongoing support strengthens the bonds between the two nations.
In his speech, TİKA Manila Coordinator İbrahim Katırcı stated that TİKA prioritizes the health sector in the Philippines and will continue to implement projects aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services for the Filipino people.
Marikina Vice Mayor Marion Andres expressed his appreciation for the cooperation with TİKA and thanked Türkiye for its support to the underprivileged communities in the region.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has renovated the training shelter for K-9 police dogs used by law enforcement in the Tajura district of Tripoli, the capital of Libya.
Director of the Specialized Training Institute of the General Administration of Security Operations, Colonel Rabie Ayyad Mervan, at the Libyan Ministry of Interior, stated that “the renovation of the shelter will enhance the training of police dogs, which are vital for ensuring security at key locations such as elections and airports.”
After the shelter’s opening ceremony, Colonel Rabie Ayyad Mervan presented a plaque of appreciation to TİKA.
K-9 dogs from Türkiye are also being trained at the renovated shelter.
Commenting on the support provided to the Libyan security forces, TİKA’s Tripoli PCO representatives said, “TİKA has renovated the shelter where K-9 dogs are trained at the headquarters of the Libyan General Administration of Security Operations in the Tajura region, a site of significance for Turks, along with providing training equipment.”
At the newly renovated shelter, police dogs undergo drills to prepare for various security scenarios.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has donated a playground, educational materials, therapeutic tools, and recreational equipment to the Mustaqbal Center for Special Needs in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, to contribute to the physical and mental development of the children.
The project aims to significantly enhance the education and social integration of 116 children with special needs, including those with autism, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, and speech delays, who are receiving education and therapy at two campuses in the Hodan and Darussalam regions.
TİKA Mogadishu Coordinator Zafer Eşki highlighted the importance of supporting children with special needs in Somalia, stating, “Through our project, we aim to ensure that these children can continue their development in a fun and educational environment. Our goal is to improve their quality of life and provide equal opportunities in education.”
The Mustaqbal Center for Special Needs officials expressed their gratitude to TİKA for its support.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Yunus Emre Institute inaugurated the “Multi-Purpose Hall and Turkish Corner” at Yarmouk University, one of Jordan’s oldest universities. This facility is designed to support Turkish language learning and was unveiled in a ceremony.
Through a project in collaboration with TİKA and the Yunus Emre Institute, a multi-purpose hall and a Turkish Corner have been established within the Faculty of Literature at Yarmouk University. These facilities are designed to host interactive training sessions and cultural activities for students and researchers in the Department of Turkish Language and Literature.
The hall, established for academics interested in researching Turkish culture, history and language, is also intended to host cultural activities such as seminars, art workshops, interviews and movie screenings.
The Multi-Purpose Hall is equipped with smart boards, computers, a library, and other educational materials. Additionally, nearly 2,000 Turkish books were provided to the library in the Turkish Corner, which is accessible to all students at the university.
The opening ceremony of the project was attended by Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Amman, Erdem Ozan; Rector of Yarmouk University, Prof. Islam Massad; TİKA’s Amman Program Coordinator, Abdurrahman Soylu; Director of Yunus Emre Institute in Amman, Ensar Fırat; Education Counselor of the Republic of Türkiye in Amman, Hasan Kaleli; as well as university administration, guests and students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rector of Yarmouk University,Prof. Islam Massad stated that the project, realized by TİKA and the Yunus Emre Institute, will significantly contribute to teaching the Turkish language. Massad expressed his gratitude to Türkiye and emphasized the importance of cooperation in education.
Ambassador Erdem Ozan emphasized that this project, developed with the support of TİKA and the Yunus Emre Institute, will enhance educational and cultural relations between Türkiye and Jordan. Ozan expressed his satisfaction with the interest the Jordanian people and students showed in Turkish culture and language.
Established in 2017, the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at Yarmouk University has 250 students. Additionally, around 200 students from various departments take elective Turkish courses.
Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, during his official visit to Uzbekistan, toured a TİKA project in the historic city of Bukhara.
Accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Bukhara Province, Botirjon Shakhriyorov, Minister Ersoy toured the historic sites of Bukhara and visited the Bukhara Branch of the Entrepreneurial Women’s Association, which was established by TİKA.
The 28th Term AK Party Deputy for Kayseri, Bayar Özsoy and TİKA’s President Serkan Kayalar visited the newly established building of the Entrepreneurial Women’s Association, which was supported by TİKA. In his remarks, Minister Ersoy expressed his happiness to be at the Bukhara Branch of the Entrepreneurial Women’s Association, describing it as one of the finest examples of brotherhood and solidarity that reinforces Türkiye’s strong ties with its friend and sister nation, Uzbekistan.
Ersoy stated that Bukhara, with its deep historical roots and cultural richness, is a shared heritage not only of Uzbekistan but of all humanity. He emphasized that in the new service building of the Bukhara Branch of the Entrepreneurial Women’s Association, entrepreneurial women will bring their handicraft projects to life, showcasing their creativity and determination.
Ersoy expressed that the enduring friendship and brotherhood between Türkiye and Uzbekistan continue to grow stronger each day, both culturally and economically. He stated, “We believe a bright future lies ahead for the relations between our two countries, under the strong leadership of our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. We will continue our efforts to develop relations between Uzbekistan and Türkiye across all fields, from education and health to culture and tourism.”
Recalling that more than a thousand projects and activities worth millions of dollars have been carried out in Uzbekistan since 1992 through TİKA, spanning areas such as education, health, agriculture, animal husbandry, cultural contributions, vocational training, the development of administrative and civil infrastructure, and emergency and humanitarian aid, Ersoy said, “We stand firmly with Uzbekistan and we know that Uzbekistan stands firmly with us. We are ready to do our utmost to further strengthen this bridge of brotherhood, friendship and solidarity, which has been established notwithstanding the distances.”
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) organized a training program on “Introduction to Integrated Learning and Teaching Models,” attended by 82 teachers in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
During the training program, participants learned how to apply the Harezmi Education Model, a local and national education framework. They also gained insights into artificial intelligence and robotic coding. The program concluded with product and poster presentations by the participating teachers, making a significant contribution to education in Zanzibar.
At the project exhibition and certificate ceremony held after the training, Asiya Iddi Issa, Director of Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Zanzibar, expressed her gratitude to TİKA and emphasized the value of such training programs for the development of students.
The Turkish Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu, highlighted the importance of educational cooperation between the two countries and discussed the positive impact of such programs on Tanzania’s education system.
Tanzanian teachers who participated in the training stated that the Harezmi Education Model significantly contributed to their professional development and would enhance the quality of education. They noted that this model opens new horizons in education by fostering analytical thinking, a collaborative approach and problem-solving skills among students.
The training program, which received extensive coverage in both local and national press in Zanzibar, concluded with a certificate ceremony and a souvenir photo session.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with Mozambique’s State Secretariat for Youth and Employment, established a 100-square-meter Production Greenhouse and a Pepper Sauce Production Workshop in Katembe Province. This initiative aims to promote the cultivation of local Piri Piri Peppers and the production of Piri Piri Sauce.
TİKA, which develops projects to support the production of locally grown Piri Piri Peppers, highly sought after in Mozambique, has constructed a 100-square-meter Piri Piri Pepper Production Greenhouse with a drip irrigation system in Katembe Province, in cooperation with the Mozambique State Secretariat for Youth and Employment. As part of the project, a kitchen workshop for pepper sauce production was also established, and equipment support was provided.
The project implemented by TİKA aims to provide agricultural training on Piri Piri Pepper cultivation to women and young people living in the Katembe region, enabling them to produce the pepper sustainably.
In the first phase, the project is expected to directly benefit 20 women with a production goal of 1,000 bottles of pepper sauce within the first six months.
In cooperation with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and Islamic Help Türkiye, a Turkish volunteer medical team offered free ENT and general surgery services at Jazeera University Hospital and Mogadishu Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital in the capital, Mogadishu.
During the 10-day health camp, the volunteer medical team from Türkiye provided extensive medical support to those in need in the region.
A total of 267 patients were examined, and 87 successful surgical operations were performed. The team addressed serious cases, such as parotid tumors and laryngeal cancer, which could not be treated locally in Somalia, using the facilities of Mogadishu Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital. As a result, the patients were able to regain their health. Additionally, both theoretical and practical training were provided to local health workers and medical students throughout the camp.
The event, organized in cooperation with TİKA and Islamic Help Türkiye, aims to strengthen health infrastructure in Mogadishu and enhance public health. Professional medical teams have improved the quality of life for many people by delivering high standards of care in both examinations and surgical procedures.
In cooperation with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Çare Association for Aid and Development, a volunteer medical team from Türkiye, consisting of specialist doctors, nurses and anesthesia technicians, provided free medical examinations and surgeries in Uganda’s Yumbe district.
As part of this initiative, the team conducted health screenings and treated a variety of conditions, including eye diseases, malnutrition, infections and other health issues.
In total, 170 cataract surgeries and 190 general surgery procedures were performed, while 1,600 individuals received outpatient care. Additionally, training sessions were held for local healthcare workers.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) supplied fishing equipment to local fishermen in Sierra Leone.
Fishing equipment was distributed to local fishermen through the Ministry of Youth Affairs of Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone Artisanal Fishermen Union, which serves the community.
Illegal fishing in Sierra Leone’s waters, which are home to many fish species, leads to a loss of around USD 25 million to the country’s economy annually. To support the government’s programs aimed at preventing poaching and empowering youth, various equipment was provided for use in ministry-owned boats and for coastal fishing.
The fishing sector, which generates an economy of USD 735 million, accounts for 12% of Sierra Leone’s gross domestic product and employs around 600,000 people—approximately 15% of the population. In the country where 200,000 people are directly involved in fishing, artisanal methods are predominantly used. With the materials provided, fishermen were able to adopt more modern techniques. Following TİKA’s support, approximately 5-6 tons of fish are caught weekly during the fishing season.
Mohamed Orman Bangura, the Minister of Youth Affairs of Sierra Leone, acknowledged TİKA’s ongoing efforts for the youth in Sierra Leone, noting that these contributions have been recognized and appreciated across various platforms. He also thanked the Turkish Embassy in Freetown, TİKA’s Guinea Office and everyone involved in providing the support.
