Author: Daily Sabah With DHA

The Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) opened 1,185 water wells in 15 countries in 2024. The foundation announced that these water wells provided clean water to more than 500,000 people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2030, approximately 700 million people may be forced to migrate due to drought. The reduction of water resources is leading to negative impacts such as migration and outbreaks of infectious diseases. In 2024, IHH also built and inaugurated water wells in Africa and Asia. The 1,185 wells opened in 15 countries throughout the year are providing clean water to over 500,000 people daily.…

Migratory birds, especially flamingos, arriving from Iran’s Urmia Lake to Lake Van Basin in eastern Türkiye, do not leave the region even during the winter months. The teams from the Nature Conservation and National Parks Van 14th Regional Directorate are taking additional protective measures for the migratory birds that stay in the Göründü Marshes. While the teams patrol the area to prevent illegal hunters from entering the marshes, they also continuously monitor the region using cameras, telescopes, and binoculars from a distance. The Lake Van Basin, home to hundreds of bird species, is one of the most important resting areas…

Two crocodiles, smuggled into the country and later confiscated, have been placed under protection at Gaziantep Zoo. Gaziantep Zoo, the largest zoo in southeastern Türkiye, often serves as a refuge for animals smuggled into the country. The animals were transported by special vehicle from Istanbul, where they were seized, and placed in their new living area. “We have set up heated enclosures,” said Celal Özsöyler, the director of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality’s Natural Life Park. He explained that the two crocodiles, one male and one female, had been smuggled into Türkiye and were seized by the Istanbul National Parks First Region…

The Ministry of Youth and Sports will organize a series of events on Jan. 3-5, 2025, to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the World War I Sarıkamış campaign. Under the slogan “You left your mark on this land,” the memorial walk will honor those lost in the campaign. Youth and citizens, along with families of fallen soldiers and veterans, will participate in the commemoration. The events will include various activities designed to remember and honor the sacrifices made during the campaign. Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak will lead the program, traveling to Sarıkamış on the Sarıkamış Express. The…

Van cats, famous worldwide for their distinctive appearance, one blue and one amber-colored eye, are among the top attractions for visitors to the city of Van, eastern Türkiye. Mehmet Atar Bayır, the animal supervisor at the Van Cat Villa, mentioned that approximately 200,000 local and foreign tourists visited the center in 2024. With their different eye colors and pure white fur, Van cats, whose fame extends beyond Türkiye’s borders, are carefully cared for at the Van Cat Villa located on the Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYÜ) campus. The cats greet visitors with their charming personalities to preserve the genetic, morphological…

Van cats, famous worldwide for their distinctive appearance, one blue and one amber-colored eye, are among the top attractions for visitors to the city of Van, eastern Türkiye. Mehmet Atar Bayır, the animal supervisor at the Van Cat Villa, mentioned that approximately 200,000 local and foreign tourists visited the center in 2024. With their different eye colors and pure white fur, Van cats, whose fame extends beyond Türkiye’s borders, are carefully cared for at the Van Cat Villa located on the Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYÜ) campus. The cats greet visitors with their charming personalities to preserve the genetic, morphological…

Ahead of the New Year, snow thickness at many ski resorts in Türkiye has reached levels suitable for skiing, signaling the official start of the winter season. Erkan Yağcı, President of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED), announced that reservations at ski resorts have exceeded 90%, with expectations of full occupancy during the New Year’s holiday period. Snowfall has created stunning views across Türkiye, with many regions experiencing heavy snowfall in the lead-up to the New Year. Domestic travelers preparing for the holiday season, particularly those planning 2-3 day trips, have shown a marked preference for ski resorts. Over the past…

Gaziantep Zoo, the largest zoo in southeastern Türkiye, welcomed a record-breaking 5.15 million visitors this year. Celal Özsöyler, Director of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Natural Life Park, shared that approximately 85% of these visitors traveled from neighboring provinces and countries. The zoo, home to 8,000 animals from 350 species, features giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers, bears, zebras, snakes and monkeys, among others. While it has consistently attracted visitors throughout the year, attendance has declined during the pandemic and after recent earthquakes. However, 2024 saw unprecedented numbers, with Gaziantep Zoo ranked the fourth-largest in the world and the third-largest in Europe, reaching its…

Türkiye’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) announced that it will develop a sign language dictionary for people with hearing impairments in Burundi, an East African country, to help them receive education and integrate into social life. The project aims to improve access to information and enhance educational opportunities for people with disabilities in the region. In 2019, the IHH launched the “Barrier-Free Africa Campaign” to provide humanitarian aid to disadvantaged groups, including people with disabilities, across Africa. Under this campaign, aid has been provided in various areas, from education to health and food distribution. As part of the campaign in Burundi,…

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder that significantly affects millions of people worldwide, including 13.1 million in Türkiye. Professor Dr. Gülşen Kocaman, a neurology specialist at Medical Park Bahçelievler Hospital, shared important insights on the condition and highlighted its widespread impact on the population. With Türkiye’s population of 85 million, this means that one in every six people in the country is affected by migraines, with women being three times more likely to suffer from this debilitating condition than men. According to Dr. Kocaman, an estimated one in five women, one in 16 men, and one in 11 children in…