From education to refugee programs, TIKA makes contributions to Bangladesh
Türkiye's state aid agency conducted various development and cooperation projects in 2024, said the agency's coordinator of project in Dhaka.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) made significant contributions in the field of education in Bangladesh, supporting a wide range of projects from technical training and children's learning processes to school renovations and tourism education, including solving students' transportation problems and driving courses, Mert Baris told Anadolu.
In the city of Feni, located about 3.5 hours by road from the capital Dhaka, the Atatürk Model High School – named after Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, and established in 1939 – was renovated with TIKA's support and continues to serve around 1,000 students with modern educational facilities.
Contributing healthcare sector in Bangladesh through its various projects, Baris said that in the capital Dhaka, TIKA provided medical equipment support to the physiotherapy department of Shishu (Children) Hospital, which serves approximately 1,500 children daily.
By replacing the outdated devices that had been in use for over 50 years with modern equipment, TIKA enabled the provision of higher-quality healthcare services to children.
In addition, TIKA plans to inaugurate a total of two class B health centers in the cities of Shariatpur and Rangamati in 2024. Following the severe floods caused by heavy rainfall in the country, TIKA also sent a mobile clinic vehicle to the regions of Feni and Noakhali to assist in the disaster response.
The agency also carried out various projects in Bangladesh to support agricultural development and promote climate-friendly practices.
As part of the Building Climate-Resilient Communities Through Skill Development project held in the Koyra district of the Khulna region, a smart farming techniques training program was organized for farmers in collaboration with the Amal Foundation.
Muhammed Ali Armagan, TIKA Bangladesh deputy coordinator, said that TIKA led several projects in the refugee camp in Cox's Bazar in the framework of the institution's activities for Rohingya refugees
He highlighted that, in addition to health and emergency humanitarian aid, the focus was particularly on strengthening the socio-cultural aspects of the refugees' lives.
Following the fire disaster that occurred at the beginning of 2024 in Sector 5 of the Cox's Bazar refugee camp, TIKA restored the damaged playground, making it once again available for children to use.
On Bhasan Char Island, which was established by the Bangladesh government for the settlement of Rohingya refugees, TIKA has implemented significant projects aimed at improving living conditions and enhancing security for the residents, Armagan said.
With a planned capacity of 100,000 people, the island currently houses over 34,000 individuals. The initiatives carried out by TIKA on the island have had positive impacts in various areas, ranging from food security to health care services, he added.
