Turkish aid agency supports Somalia with over 500 projects

Projects aim to improve health care, education, infrastructure, and agriculture, says Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency’s Somalia coordinator The Turkish state development aid agency, TİKA, has implemented over 500 projects since starting work in Somalia in 2011, contributing to the country's development in fields ranging from health care and agriculture to education and infrastructure. Zafer Eski, Somalia coordinator for the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), told Anadolu that the agency is focusing on sustainable development and long-term impact. “One of our most important projects is Zamzam University,” he said. “Originally established as a small agricultural school in 2012 with the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), it became Zamzam University in 2014. Graduates now play key roles across Somalia’s agriculture sector.” TİKA has also carried out major infrastructure work in the capital Mogadishu, including paving roughly 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) of main roads, the construction of TurkSom, Türkiye's largest overseas military base and training facility, and furnishing the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Education and Research Hospital. Eski highlighted the agency's emphasis on vocational training for youth and disabled people. Turkish language classes