The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has once again demonstrated Turkey’s role as the conscience of the world by providing substantial medical equipment and supplies to COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) Orthotic and Prosthetic Centers in Laos.
State-of-the-art medical devices and equipment produced in Turkey have been delivered to five COPE centers operating in Vientiane, Champasak, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Xiengkhouang. In addition, TİKA has completed comprehensive renovation and furnishing works at the COPE service buildings in Vientiane.
Laos is among the countries most affected by unexploded ordnance due to 270 million cluster bombs dropped during the Secret War between 1964 and 1973. This has impacted thousands of lives, and even today, many Laotians lose limbs due to unexploded bombs. COPE provides free rehabilitation, treatment, and orthotic-prosthetic services to citizens who have lost limbs as a result of unexploded ordnance, birth defects, and accidents.
Since 2021, Turkey has provided various aid and technical support to assist those at risk from unexploded ordnance in their daily lives, workplaces, and schools. In 2021, within the scope of the “Disaster Early Warning and UXO Risk Education” project implemented by the Turkish Embassy in Vientiane in cooperation with UNDP, material deliveries and training programs were conducted in Sibunhuang village in Bolikhamsay province and Thuangse village in the southern Saravan province.
Thanks to TİKA’s support, COPE’s treatment capacity has grown significantly: in 2022, the center treated 720 patients per year; this increased to 1,486 patients in 2023 and 1,572 patients in 2024. The number of orthotic and prosthetic devices provided also more than doubled, from 826 in 2022 to 1,698 in 2023 and 1,807 in 2024.
This support from TİKA is a key step toward strengthening Laos’ healthcare infrastructure and enabling people with disabilities to participate more actively in society.
At the handover ceremony in Vientiane, Deputy Minister of Health of Laos, Aphone Visathep, said:”On behalf of the Ministry of Health, the Rehabilitation Medical Center, and the COPE Project, I am pleased to accept this support. The equipment provided will be used in rehabilitation efforts to deliver free services to disabled individuals nationwide. This project has increased access to high-quality prosthetic and orthotic devices for people with disabilities in Laos PDR.”
Turkish Ambassador to Vientiane, Oya Yazar, added:”Today’s handover demonstrates Turkey’s commitment to the welfare and health progress of the Lao PDR and its people. Turkey implements projects with Lao authorities not only in health but also in education, agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure, UXO and victim support, women empowerment, human resource development, and vocational training. Turkey has always stood by Laos on its development path and remains determined to continue.
In terms of per capita humanitarian aid, Turkey is proud to be the world’s largest and most generous donor. The Ministry of Health of Laos and COPE play a vital role in providing a sustainable future for UXO victims and people with disabilities for various reasons. Through TİKA’s valuable contributions, Turkey is proud to support national victim assistance efforts and to be part of the success story of new lives and hope for the Lao people. Time cannot be reversed, but some damages can be compensated. Today, it is a great pleasure to witness UXO victims and other disabled individuals sustaining their lives, attending school, working, and supporting their families.”
At the ceremony, Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of TİKA’s East and South Asia, Pacific, and Latin America Department, said:”Thanks to TİKA’s generous support, all necessary medical devices, equipment, and supplies produced in Turkey have been delivered to COPE’s five centers according to their needs. This contribution enables COPE to operate at international standards and significantly improves the quality of care for approximately 2,000 physically disabled patients each year.
Furthermore, TİKA has completed the renovation and furnishing of COPE service buildings in Vientiane, creating a better environment for both patients and staff. The support provided to COPE centers is a proud example of our commitment to sustainable development and cooperation based on solidarity and shared values.”
COPE Program Manager Metta Thippawong stated:”On behalf of myself and my team, I am very pleased with TİKA’s support in providing modern machinery and renovating the workshops of the COPE Center and its five branches. The modern equipment has allowed us to produce prosthetics much faster. Previously, patients had to wait up to five months for their prosthetic devices, but now they can receive them in about ten days.”
Deputy Director of the Medical Rehabilitation Center, Sybounheuang Sansathit, said:”We are very proud to receive support from Turkey, especially through TİKA, which provided ovens, vacuum devices, and prosthetic-orthotic production equipment.”
COPE service user Onchan Xaeteun said:”I know this hospital because my relatives recommended it to me. I am very happy that it helps disabled people like me. Thanks to this project, I can use a prosthetic device and walk again.”
Phatsanguan, another service user, added:”I am Phatsanguan from Don Village, Paknguem District, Vientiane Capital. I had an accident in 2009 when I was hit by a car, and this project helped me restore my leg. Now, I can go out, play with my friends, and engage in all kinds of activities.”
Add Sisongkham, also a service user, said:”I am Add Sisongkham, 41 years old. I had an accident in 2008 that left me disabled. My leg was amputated, and I thought I would never walk again. When I learned about this program, I was sent to this center, and now I am happy to have a leg and to see that all people with disabilities can move independently.”
As devastating floods continue to affect large parts of Pakistan, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has intensified its emergency relief efforts in Punjab Province, where activities are still ongoing. In the districts of Kasur, Jhang, Bahawalnagar, and Muzaffargarh, TİKA has been distributing hot meals and Family Hygiene Kits to displaced families.
At the same time, health camps organized through the TİKA Mobile Clinic have been serving vulnerable communities in Wazirabad/Sialkot, Kasur, and Multan, providing much-needed medical consultations and free medicines.
Earlier in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), TİKA carried out similar interventions in Buner and Swat districts, where hot meals were distributed to flood-affected households. In addition, the TİKA Mobile Clinic delivered healthcare services in Buner, and Family Hygiene Kits were provided to local families to improve sanitary conditions in temporary shelters.
With its emergency response in both Punjab and KP, TİKA has so far reached a total of 50,000 people with hot meals, hygiene kits, and essential health services. These efforts underscore Türkiye’s solidarity with Pakistan in the face of climate-induced disasters, and TİKA’s commitment to stand with vulnerable communities in times of need.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has been honored with the “Best International Corporate Partner” award at the 2025 BAZNAS Awards, organized by the Indonesian National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS).
At the annual ceremony, TİKA, recognized for Türkiye’s impactful development cooperation projects, received the award in the “Best International Corporate Partner” category.
The award was presented to Prof. Dr. Talip Küçükcan, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Jakarta, during the 2025 BAZNAS National Coordination Meeting held in the capital, Jakarta.
In his remarks, BAZNAS President Prof. Dr. KH. Noor Achmad highlighted the role of zakat volunteers and international partners, stating: “We extend our sincere gratitude to all our partners and BAZNAS leaders across Indonesia. This collaboration is a vital part of our extraordinary zakat efforts.”
Ambassador Prof. Dr. Küçükcan underlined the significance of TİKA’s projects in Indonesia and beyond, saying: “TİKA not only contributes to Türkiye’s humanitarian aid policy but also strengthens the positive perception of our country in Indonesia and enhances the impact of our Embassy through the projects it supports, ranging from education and healthcare to production and economic development.”
Volunteer Turkish doctors performed orthopedic surgeries in Ethiopia as part of a health program organized in partnership with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and Doctors Worldwide.
In collaboration with TİKA and the Doctors Worldwide Association, a volunteer medical team and specialist doctors from Türkiye held a one-week orthopedic camp in Jigjiga, the capital of Ethiopia’s Somali State, from August 16-23, 2025.
During the program, 34 patients underwent successful orthopedic surgeries that could not have been carried out with existing healthcare facilities. In addition, more than 100 patients received medical examinations. Ethiopian colleagues who worked alongside the Turkish doctors also gained valuable surgical and clinical experience.
Appreciation from the State President
On the final day of the program, Mustafa Mohammed Omer, President of the Somali State of Ethiopia, visited the hospital and met with patients receiving treatment. Omer expressed his gratitude to Türkiye, TİKA, and the Doctors Worldwide Association, emphasizing that the historical and cultural friendship between Türkiye and the Somali State has been further strengthened through such cooperation projects.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has renovated and refurbished the Vocational Training Center of the Lao Women’s Union, with the aim of enhancing women’s professional skills and increasing their participation in the economy.
As part of the project, TİKA renovated the center’s design room and showroom in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, to support the social and economic participation of women and disadvantaged young girls. The renewed space provides a modern environment where women can receive training as well as display and sell their traditional products.
Founded in 1955, the Lao Women’s Union is recognized as the country’s most influential institution for women’s rights and gender equality. The Union supports women, particularly in rural areas, by offering training in sewing, embroidery, weaving, and entrepreneurship, encouraging their greater involvement in social and economic life.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Lao Women’s Union Vice President, Lavan Southisan, said: “Thanks to collaborations like this, our women can generate income for their families and find new markets for their products. We are grateful to Türkiye.”
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Vientiane, Oya Yazar, emphasized the significance of the project, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Lao Women’s Union, stating: “This project demonstrates Türkiye’s commitment to the well-being of the Lao people and, in particular, the advancement of women.”
Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of TİKA’s East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department, underlined the importance of inclusive development: “Development cooperation is most meaningful when it is inclusive and sustainable. Our projects in Laos particularly focus on historically underserved groups.”
In 2023, as part of its collaboration with the Lao Women’s Union, TİKA provided equipment to the State Cotton Enterprise and supplied essential tools to women who completed sewing and embroidery courses, enabling them to start their own businesses. The United Nations highlights that women in Laos, classified as a “Least Developed Country”, face limited access to education and economic opportunities. With this project, TİKA aims to contribute both to women’s empowerment and to Laos’s broader development goals.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided greenhouse support to 44 families as part of the “Development of Greenhouse Cultivation in Montenegro Project”, implemented to promote rural development across the country.
Under the project, greenhouses equipped with irrigation systems were installed for families in Rožaje, Plav, Gusinje, Andrijevica, and Bijelo Polje in the north, as well as in Cetinje and Tuzi in the south. This initiative has provided local communities with productive and sustainable agricultural infrastructure, enabling them to grow their own crops and earn a livelihood.
Beneficiaries emphasized that the project generated not only economic benefits but also social ones. The participation of women in production processes has transformed community life and created new income opportunities.
It was also noted that TİKA’s support has encouraged young people in rural areas to remain in their hometowns, helping to slow migration and foster local development.
Since its launch in 2014, the project has supported 214 producers across Montenegro with greenhouse installations, irrigation systems, seed support, and training in greenhouse farming. Greenhouse support has also been extended to seven primary schools, the Children’s Reformatory in Podgorica and Spuž Prison, Montenegro’s largest correctional facility.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided technical equipment to a sewing workshop affiliated with the Gabon Fashion Festival Association (FEMOGA) in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, to expand access to vocational training for women and youth and support their economic independence.
According to the World Bank’s 2024 Development Indicators, the female labor force participation rate in Gabon stands at 35.7%, while the youth employment rate is 31.4%, both below the Sub-Saharan Africa average. Reports by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) further show that most women and young people in the country are engaged in low-skilled, informal, and insecure jobs or remain economically dependent.
Through this project, FEMOGA aims to provide practical training in sewing, embroidery, and textiles to 100 participants. With the equipment supplied by TİKA, the workshop has been transformed into a high-quality and sustainable training environment.
The handover ceremony, held at FEMOGA’s headquarters, was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Libreville, Can İncesu, TİKA’s Vice President, Rahman Nurdun, and his delegation, Gabon’s Director General of Tourism and Handicrafts, Nzatsi Moussavou, and FEMOGA representatives.
In his speech, Ambassador İncesu underlined the importance of FEMOGA’s efforts to strengthen the production capacity of women and youth and expressed his satisfaction with the continued deepening of cooperation with TİKA.
TİKA’s Vice President, Nurdun, highlighted that the active participation of women and youth in economic life is a cornerstone of sustainable development, stressing that the workshop will not only provide vocational skills but also foster local production and preserve cultural identity.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established a collection center in the city of Gjilan, Kosovo, to support grape producers in the region.
The opening ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pristina, Sabri Tunç Angılı; TİKA’s Coordinator in Pristina, Fulya Aslan; Gjilan Mayor, Alban Hyseni; President of the Kosovo Grape Association, Kujtim Lepaja; as well as many local farmers.
In his speech, Ambassador Angılı emphasized the importance of the project, stating: “Food security is a critical issue for many nations, including Kosovo. We realized this even more clearly during the pandemic. Therefore, projects like this are of great importance in contributing to Kosovo’s food security.”
TİKA’s Coordinator in Pristina, Aslan, also highlighted the agency’s contributions, saying: “As TİKA, we carry out numerous projects to support rural development and improve the agricultural sector in Kosovo. Over the past 11 years, we have implemented 11 projects across different regions of the country to strengthen grape production. In Gjilan, products harvested under this project will be quickly frozen and stored, ensuring no loss of quality or yield. The project aims to increase household incomes and export opportunities for grape producers while contributing to the national economy.”
Gjilan Mayor Alban Hyseni said, “As a municipality, we have signed important projects to contribute to grape production. However, when we initiated this project, our main goal was to ensure sustainability. We have seen that true sustainability can only be achieved through the support of farmers. Thus, with TİKA’s support, all the links in this chain have been completed.”
Kosovo Grapes Association President Lepaja said, “TİKA’s support will play an important role in the cultivation of grapes, particularly raspberries. With proper infrastructure, production in this sector increases significantly. This collection center has a storage capacity of 20 tons at a time, amounting to up to 200 tons over the course of a year. In this way, around 50 hectares of land in and around Gjilan can be effectively utilized.”
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established five greenhouses in the city of Jenin as part of the “Palestinian Turkmen Agricultural Production Project”, which supports agriculture and employment in Palestine.
A significant portion of the Turkmen population, who settled in Palestine at various points in history and now number nearly 40,000 in the West Bank and Gaza, earn their livelihood through agriculture and animal husbandry. However, the cancellation of work permits in Israel following its attacks on Gaza has left many Turkmen unemployed.
Launched in 2016 with TİKA’s support and carried out in cooperation with the Palestine-Turkmen Friendship Association, the project established five agricultural production greenhouses to strengthen solidarity among Palestinian Turkmen and sustain their livelihoods. The initiative aims to create employment opportunities for Turkmen families in the region while also increasing the association’s income sources.
Association President, Muhammad Turkmen, highlighted the importance of this support from the people of Türkiye during the worsening socio-economic conditions in Palestine, expressing his gratitude to the Republic of Türkiye and TİKA.
Under the coordination of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Türkiye (AFAD) and Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs organized an “Advanced Search and Rescue in Nature Training Program” in cooperation with the Emergency Situations Administration.
The program was held in Tbilisi with the participation of 22 personnel from the Emergency Situations Administration.
The training, delivered by AFAD, combined both theoretical and practical sessions. Participants received instruction on advanced search and rescue techniques in nature, disaster-time field coordination, mountaineering skills, equipment use, and scenario-based exercises.
At the end of the program, the technical equipment used during the training was handed over to the Georgian search and rescue teams.
The Emergency Situations Administration of Georgia expressed gratitude to TİKA and AFAD, noting that the program made a significant contribution to strengthening their institutional capacity.
Through this initiative, the operational capacity of Georgia’s search and rescue teams was enhanced, while technical cooperation between Türkiye and Georgia in the field of disaster management was further reinforced.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has carried out the renovation and furnishing of the Vocational Training Center affiliated with the Lao Women’s Union in order to enhance women’s vocational skills and increase their participation in economic life.
Within the scope of the project, the design room and exhibition hall of the center in the capital Vientiane were renovated. A modern and functional space was created where women and disadvantaged young girls can receive vocational training, showcase their traditional products, and engage in sales activities to strengthen their social and economic inclusion.
Established in 1955, the Lao Women’s Union is recognized as one of the most influential institutions in the field of women’s rights and gender equality in the country. The Union conducts significant activities, particularly in rural areas, by providing training in sewing, embroidery, weaving, and entrepreneurship to support women’s participation in social and economic life.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Vice President of the Lao Women’s Union Lavan Southisan stated, “Through such collaborations, our women are able to generate income for their families and find new markets for their products. On behalf of the Lao Women’s Union and all Lao women, we extend our gratitude to Türkiye.”
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Vientiane, Oya Yazar, emphasized the significance of the project coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Lao Women’s Union and said, “This initiative is a testament to Türkiye’s contribution to the welfare, development, and progress of the Lao people, particularly women.”
TİKA’s Director of the Department of East and South Asia, Pacific, and Latin America, Dursun Ali Yaşacan, underlined that “the most meaningful form of development cooperation is inclusive and sustainable. Therefore, our projects in Laos do not focus solely on infrastructure or technology but particularly on historically underrepresented and underserved groups.”
In 2023, TİKA, in cooperation with the Lao Women’s Union, had also provided equipment support to the State Cotton Enterprise and organized monthly sewing and embroidery courses. Women who successfully completed the courses were given basic equipment to establish their own businesses.
Laos, categorized by the United Nations as one of the “Least Developed Countries,” continues to face challenges regarding women’s access to education and economic opportunities. Through this project, TİKA aims to contribute to Laos’ development goals while supporting women’s empowerment and strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has completed the installation of two cold storage units and the renovation of an existing seed storage facility at the Rice and Crop Research Center under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Laos, aiming to support sustainable agriculture and food security in Southeast Asia.
This project addresses the need to store climate-resilient rice seeds under safe conditions, one of the most critical challenges facing Laotian agriculture due to climate change-induced disasters. Thanks to the new facilities, 300 tons of registered (R2) rice seeds can now be preserved in ideal conditions at temperatures between 5-10°C, ensuring rapid access for farmers during emergencies.
The project not only supports Laos’ goal of producing 3.5 million tons of rice by 2025 but also contributes to mitigating climate risks in the country’s rice-growing areas, 88% of which rely on rainfall and are vulnerable to disasters.
In addition to this project, TİKA also provided rice sorting machinery and 30 tons of rice seeds to farmers affected by floods in the provinces of Bolikhamsai, Khammouan, and Savannakhet in 2023. Developed in cooperation with the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), these seeds are distinguished by their resistance to floods, droughts, and diseases.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Vientiane, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Chanthanet Boualapha, stated that the rice sorting machine donated by TİKA helped classify over 450 tons of rice seeds at the Rice and Crop Research Center, reducing the rate of empty seeds distributed to farmers from 15% to 8%. He also noted that, thanks to the cold storage units established by TİKA, the annual loss of 15 tons of rice seeds with germination rates below 80% was reduced to 8 tons by 2025.
At the same ceremony, Turkish Ambassador to Vientiane, Oya Yazar, emphasized that the cold storage units established by TİKA represent a significant step in addressing the global climate crisis and food security challenges. She highlighted that TİKA’s projects in Laos — previously focused on healthcare, vocational training, and production — now also make an important contribution in the field of agriculture.
Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of TİKA’s Department of East and South Asia, Pacific, and Latin America, stated during the ceremony:
“In the face of an ongoing global food crisis, it is clearer than ever that international cooperation in agriculture is not a luxury – it is a necessity. Especially in Southeast Asia, where millions depend on rice farming, sharing knowledge, technology, and innovation is essential for regional food security and economic stability. This project is not just a technological investment; it is a strategic cooperation that enhances Laos’s agricultural resilience and supports our shared food security goals.”
In today’s world, where global climate change threatens food systems, this project directly aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Zero Hunger and Resilient and Sustainable Food Production Systems.
As TİKA continues to support the establishment of climate-friendly agricultural systems in least developed and developing countries, the newly established cold storage units in Laos stand as a significant symbol of the growing development cooperation between the two nations.
