Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has delivered food packages to Palestinians facing severe hunger in Gaza, where Israel continues to block humanitarian aid.
Since March 2025, Israel has prevented the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, which remains under a heavy siege. Thousands of Palestinians are struggling to survive without access to basic necessities. In a region where food, water, medicine, and hygiene supplies have been almost completely depleted, TİKA continues to carry out vital humanitarian aid efforts.
In its latest operation, conducted in cooperation with the Assalama Association in central Gaza, TİKA distributed food packages containing a variety of vegetables to 350 Palestinian families. This assistance has provided a lifeline for civilians who have been unable to obtain essential food items due to the blockade.
Since the start of the war in Gaza, TİKA has implemented numerous relief operations, reaching thousands of families across different parts of the region with food parcels, tents, beds, blankets, winter clothing, medical supplies, and medicines.
In addition, through its annual Ramadan kitchens and the distribution of Ramadan food packages during the holy month, TİKA has continued to stand by Palestinians in need, offering critical support to those enduring extremely difficult conditions.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has upgraded the health infrastructure of the ARTEK International Children’s Center in Ukraine.
Founded in 1925 on the Crimean Peninsula, ARTEK International Children’s Center continued its activities in Kyiv after the occupation of Crimea in 2014 and is recognized as one of the world’s leading children’s camp centers.
As part of the project, new dental, eye, and ear-nose-throat examination rooms, as well as a laboratory, were established to help diagnose digestive, nutritional, neurological, circulatory, oral, and hormonal health issues among children. Most of these children come from rural areas with limited access to healthcare services.
With the modern medical equipment supplied by TİKA, the center’s technical capacity has been improved, enabling it to deliver more comprehensive and higher-quality healthcare services to its young participants.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the health unit was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Kyiv, Mustafa Levent Bilgen; Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Health, Yevgeniy Gonchar; officials from Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Social Policy; TİKA’s Coordinator in Ukraine, Yahya Kemal Tunca; ARTEK General Manager, Serhii Kapustin; center staff; and camp participants from various regions of Ukraine.
Ambassador Bilgen highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between the Turkish and Ukrainian peoples, stating that TİKA’s support to the ARTEK International Children’s Center is a symbol of this enduring relationship and that cooperation will continue in this and many other areas.
Deputy Minister Gonchar expressed gratitude to the Republic of Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for their support to Ukraine and its children, stressing that the assistance provided to ARTEK also benefits children living on the front lines who are most affected by the war.
ARTEK General Manager Kapustin described the project as a significant step in Türkiye-Ukraine cooperation, noting that children at the center truly feel Türkiye’s support.
He emphasized that Türkiye and TİKA have consistently provided assistance, especially during challenging times, and thanked them for the newly established examination rooms and laboratory, which will play a vital role in diagnosing illnesses among all camp participants, including children from the front lines.
About ARTEK International Children’s Center
ARTEK supports the rehabilitation of more than 11,000 children each year, particularly those affected by trauma, orphans, and children from low-income families, especially since the escalation of the war in 2022. The center conducts activities aimed at developing social skills, providing psychological support, and supporting the education of children displaced by war.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has supported a project to improve access to the Kigali Genocide Memorial for disabled and elderly visitors.
Through the provision of transportation systems, TİKA enabled these visitors to comfortably reach the museum section of the memorial, located in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
The initiative has removed physical barriers, creating a more inclusive visiting environment and helping to raise awareness of the genocide among a broader audience.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Kigali, Aslan Alper Yüksel, emphasized that Türkiye stands in solidarity with the people of Rwanda in remembering the genocide committed against the Tutsis in 1994. He noted that the transportation systems provided by TİKA serve as a tangible and meaningful symbol of this solidarity.
Alphonse Munyantwali, Director of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, expressed his gratitude for Türkiye’s growing interest in the memorial, especially over the past two years. He highlighted that the transportation systems supplied by TİKA have significantly improved access to the museum section, making the memorial a more inclusive space for all visitors.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has donated printing and scanning equipment to the National Vernadsky Library of Ukraine, the country’s largest library and information center, to help ensure the continuity of its operations amid wartime conditions.
Founded in 1918 and affiliated with the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Library also functions as the country’s leading scientific publishing institution. Through its publishing center, the Library produces hundreds of academic works each year, contributing significantly to the dissemination of scientific knowledge both within Ukraine and internationally. It also plays an important educational role in the fields of librarianship and archival science.
Thanks to the printing, copying, and scanning devices provided by TİKA, the Library will be able to maintain its publishing and information services without disruption, despite the ongoing physical and financial challenges posed by the war.
The handover ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Kyiv, Mustafa Levent Bilgen; Director of the National Vernadsky Library of Ukraine, Lyubov Dubrovina; TİKA’s Ukraine Program Coordinator, Yahya Kemal Tunca; Director of Yunus Emre Institute’s Kyiv Turkish Cultural Center, Ali Oğuzhan Yüksel; and members of the library staff.
In her remarks at the ceremony, Director Dubrovina emphasized the Library’s leading role in both national and international scientific and cultural initiatives, and stated that the equipment support from TİKA had significantly enhanced the technical capacity of its publishing center. She expressed her gratitude to the Republic of Türkiye, the Turkish people, and TİKA for their solidarity during such challenging times.
Ambassador Bilgen highlighted the Library’s vast collection and historical manuscripts, noting that the support extended by Türkiye reflects the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries and the value placed on their shared cultural heritage. He underlined the project’s high added value and thanked all parties involved for their contributions.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has enhanced the production infrastructure for sugarcane farmers in Ricaurte Municipality, Nariño Department, Colombia through a two-phase development project.
Implemented in collaboration with the Colombian Presidential Agency for International Cooperation (APC Colombia) and the Regional Renewal Agency (ART), the project aimed to boost rural development by establishing sugarcane processing systems (trapiches) at four different locations. As a result, the production capacity of approximately 80 farming families affiliated with ASOCAMPARI (Association of Sugarcane Farmers of the Municipality of Ricaurte) has significantly increased.
This initiative, carried out under the PDET (Regional Development Program with a Territorial Approach), a priority program supporting rural development in the post-2016 peace agreement era, contributes to the promotion of sustainable and legal agricultural practices in Colombia.
Production Capacity Doubled
In the first phase of the project, launched in 2024, two production units were established in San Pablo village, within the jurisdiction of Ricaurte Municipality. In the second phase, completed in 2025, two additional units became operational in the villages of San Isidro and Chambú.
With the new systems in place, farmers’ hourly processing capacity increased from an average of 50 kilograms to 110 kilograms. As a result, annual production per farmer rose by an average of 1.2 times. Farmers use these systems to boil sugarcane and produce a natural sweetener known as “panela”.
ASOCAMPARI officials remarked, “The traditional methods passed down from our ancestors have been enhanced with modern systems, thanks to TİKA. Productivity has increased, and the environment has been preserved.”
Contributing to Peace and Economic Development
ART, which partners with TİKA on the project, operates under the Colombian Presidency and works to improve living standards in regions affected by the country’s civil war. The municipality of Ricaurte is among the areas included in the PDET.
This project, supported by TİKA, also contributes to Colombia’s peace process through rural development. At the same time, it seeks to promote alternative, legal, and sustainable agricultural production as a substitute for illicit crop cultivation.
TİKA Recognized as a Strategic Partner
Recognized as a strategic partner by the Colombian Presidential Agency for International Cooperation (APC Colombia) under its 2024 “Result-Oriented Partnerships” program, TİKA continues to reflect Türkiye’s friendly and cooperative approach by supporting projects that foster peace and rural development in Colombia.
What is Panela?
The main product generated through the project, panela, is a natural sweetener made by boiling sugarcane juice. It is widely used in Latin American cuisine. Since Colombia has virtually no sugar beet production, the country meets a significant portion of its sugar demand through panela. Especially in rural areas, panela is a household staple and holds a vital place in Colombia’s cultural heritage due to its traditional production methods.
With the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the first kidney transplant in Burkina Faso was successfully performed, marking a milestone in the country’s medical history and setting an example for health diplomacy in West Africa.
Organized in collaboration with the Turkish Society of Intensive Care and the Turkish Transplant Foundation (TONV), and supported by TİKA, the program included both training and practical applications in the field of healthcare.
As part of the initiative in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, more than 200 Burkinabé doctors and healthcare professionals received a two-day “Basic Intensive Care Training” conducted by expert physicians from Türkiye. The program was recognized as one of the most comprehensive intensive care training sessions ever held in Africa.
A highlight of the visit was the country’s first kidney transplant, carried out under the leadership of the Turkish medical team.
During their stay, the Turkish delegation also met with the Minister of Health of Burkina Faso and other senior officials to explore further opportunities for cooperation in healthcare.
President Traoré receives Turkish health delegation
Another key moment of the visit was the audience at the Presidential Palace, where Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré welcomed the Turkish health delegation. President Traoré expressed his appreciation for Türkiye’s expertise in healthcare and stated his wish for Türkiye to become his country’s principal partner in this field.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) donated an 18-passenger shuttle vehicle equipped with an elevator and ring support to Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Malaysia’s largest healthcare complex. The vehicle will be used to transport critically ill patients and healthcare personnel within the hospital campus.
Kuala Lumpur Hospital, which has been operating for 155 years, spans a 150-acre campus with 15 buildings. However, the country’s frequent and heavy tropical rains had been disrupting the internal transport of patients in critical condition. In response to a request for cooperation from the Malaysian Ministry of Health, TİKA provided the hospital with a specially equipped 18-passenger shuttle vehicle.
The vehicle was officially handed over during a ceremony attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Kuala Lumpur, Emir Salim Yüksel; embassy staff; HKL General Manager, Dato’ Dr. Harikrishna K.R. Nair, and hospital administrators.
Hospital Director Dato’ Dr. Harikrishna expressed his gratitude to TİKA officials and the Turkish Embassy, emphasizing that such collaborations continue to strengthen the bonds between the two countries.
About Kuala Lumpur Hospital
Established in 1870, Kuala Lumpur Hospital is Malaysia’s largest healthcare facility. Located on a 150-acre campus, it comprises 15 buildings, employs over 12,000 staff, houses more than 2,300 beds, and operates 51 surgical theaters.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in cooperation with the General Directorate of Security, organized a “Basic Training on Combating Smuggling and Organized Crime” program for Kenyan police officers.
As part of the International Police Training Cooperation Project, 10 experienced Kenyan police officers received training in Ankara. The program covered topics such as smuggling, organized crime, methods of international cooperation, and operational techniques.
At the conclusion of the program, certificates were presented to the participants during a ceremony held at the Police Intervention Unit. The event was attended by TİKA officials, representatives of the General Directorate of Security, and the Kenyan delegation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Head of the Kenyan Delegation Fredrick Ikaal expressed his gratitude for the training support provided by TİKA and the Turkish Police Force, and voiced his hope that cooperation between the two countries would continue to strengthen.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established children’s libraries in the municipalities of San Juan, Jadán, San Rafael de Sharug, Güel, and Zhiña in Ecuador’s Azuay province.
Implemented in cooperation with the Azuay Provincial Government, the project created play libraries designed to benefit approximately 500 children. These libraries were conceived not only as spaces for learning but also as safe, inclusive, and stimulating social environments that support children’s development.
The opening ceremonies in the municipalities of Jadán and Güel drew strong interest from local officials, educators, and community members. Attendees included the Turkish Ambassador to Quito, Başak Yalçın; TİKA’s Coordinator in Bogotá, Merve Zengin; and Azuay Governor, Juan Cristóbal Lloret. The joy on the children’s faces as they explored their new libraries underscored the impact of the project.
Speaking at the event, Governor Lloret stated: “We selected the poorest and most challenging areas within our region. We are truly pleased that Türkiye has assumed a supportive role in helping us reach our development goals. Our children and especially their mothers are overjoyed.”
A safe space for children
Local community leaders Jorge Patricio Tigre and Estefanía Paola Ordoñez highlighted the challenges faced by children in the region, including migration, addiction, and limited access to education. They expressed their belief that the newly established libraries will provide a safe space to help address these pressing issues.
In addition to offering equal educational opportunities, the project creates a protective environment for children against risks such as domestic violence, neglect, addiction and child labor. The libraries are equipped not only with books but also with modern educational tools, including toys that support psychomotor development, tablets, computers and smart boards.
While the libraries directly benefit approximately 500 children, they are expected to indirectly impact around 1,600 individuals, including vulnerable groups such as women and the elderly. Provincial authorities noted that this project, implemented with the support of Türkiye, has already become a model for the region. Several other organizations operating locally have begun to replicate similar initiatives.
With the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), a healthcare initiative was carried out in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, offering free medical examinations, treatments, and medications to the local population.
Held from June 29 to July 10, 2025, the comprehensive health campaign was organized in collaboration with TİKA and Yeryüzü Doktorları Association. In collaboration with TİKA and Yeryüzü Doktorları, a healthcare initiative was launched to provide medical examinations, treatment, and medications to the local population.
The initiative provided vital medical services to residents of the region, prioritizing women, children, and individuals with chronic illnesses. In addition to general health check-ups, specialized care was offered in fields such as pediatrics, women’s health, ophthalmology, and dentistry.
The health initiative, supported by TİKA and carried out in cooperation with local health units, also featured short-term training seminars for local healthcare professionals, contributing to the long-term sustainability of medical services in the region.
A launch event organized by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) was held in Islamabad to mark its sponsorship support for the Pakistan Street Children’s Football Team. During the event, the professional sports equipment and gear provided for the team’s participation in the 2025 Norway Cup were officially unveiled.
The event was attended by the Turkish Ambassador to Islamabad, Mr. İrfan Neziroğlu; TİKA’s Coordinator in Pakistan, Saliha Tuna; Executive Director of project partner Muslim Hands, Javed Gillani; team members; and numerous Turkish and Pakistani guests.
In his remarks, Ambassador Neziroğlu expressed his gratitude to TİKA and Muslim Hands for this meaningful collaboration. He noted that the achievements of the Pakistan Street Children’s Football Team had transformed what was once a dream into a tangible success. Highlighting the Turkish-Pakistani relations, Ambassador Neziroğlu emphasized that TİKA has become a symbol of this enduring friendship, having implemented nearly 700 development cooperation projects in Pakistan over the past 15 years.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Pakistan, Saliha Tuna, thanked the project partner, Muslim Hands, for its “Sports for Development” approach, stating, “This sponsorship is not just about supporting a sports activity, it’s about supporting hope for a better future and equal opportunities for children.” Tuna expressed her pride in accompanying the team on their journey to the Norway Cup and wished them success.
Muslim Hands Executive Director Javed Gillani noted that their organization has been working for many years to rehabilitate and reintegrate street children into society. He emphasized that TİKA’s support goes beyond sponsorship, serving as a powerful message of solidarity from Türkiye.
Speaking on behalf of the team, young player Ubeydullah shared that he and his teammates were selected from among thousands of youth from across Pakistan through a challenging selection process. He expressed pride in representing his country in Norway and thanked both Muslim Hands and TİKA for their support.
The professional sportswear and equipment provided by TİKA will serve as the official uniforms and gear for the Pakistan Street Children’s Football Team during the 2025 Norway Cup.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has completed its Drought-Resistant Agricultural Practices Project in Wajir County, located in northeastern Kenya. Implemented in collaboration with the Wajir County Government, the project established a model farm to demonstrate sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural techniques.
As part of the initiative, a solar-powered shallow water well, a two-acre open-field drip irrigation system, a shaded greenhouse, and an agricultural nursery with tree species adapted to arid climates were constructed. The handover ceremony was attended by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, TİKA’s Coordinator in Nairobi Yasemin Cansuz Kurt, local officials, and residents of the area.
In the initial phase of the project, crops such as papaya, watermelon, various vegetables, and drought-tolerant forage species were harvested at the model farm. Plants like Napier grass, moringa, and sorghum hold strategic importance for livestock farming, which is the traditional livelihood of the local community.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Abdullahi stated, “Drought poses a serious threat not only to food production but also to livestock farming due to the degradation of pastureland. Through this project, we aim to offer our people a new perspective on agriculture and empower them to sustain their livelihoods using drought-resistant farming methods.”
TİKA’s Coordinator in Nairobi, Cansuz Kurt, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond providing support, it represents a development model focused on long-term transformation. She noted that following the completion of the project, many local residents reached out to TİKA seeking information about agricultural suppliers, reflecting growing interest in sustainable farming solutions.
About the model farm
The model farm, now officially handed over to the Wajir Governorate, will serve not only as a production site but also as a center for education and capacity building. Local farmers will receive hands-on training in areas such as irrigation techniques, soil enhancement, tree planting, and organic fertilizer production.
Through its projects in Kenya, TİKA continues to strengthen community resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods with a particular focus on climate change mitigation, food security, and rural development.
