The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) continues to offer a helping hand to Yuruks – semi-nomadic Turkmens – in Macedonia. TİKA's latest project aims to solve Yuruks' clean water problem and put an end to a long-standing need. Yuruks in Macedonia, mainly live in the two villages of Ali Koç and Kocali, which are within the borders of Radovis Municipality located in the eastern part of the country. Thousands of people living in these villages had been carrying clean water from long distances for years. To solve the clean water problem, TİKA set up a 14-kilometer water pipeline from a rich water source in the foothills of Plackovica Mountain in the region. The agency is building high capacity water storage and modern water chlorination and refinement facilities in order to distribute the clean water throughout the region where Yuruks live.
TİKA also supports greenhouse farming and fruit growing activities where Yuruks live in Macedonia. As a part of the Greenhouse Development Project in Eastern Macedonia, which was initiated by TİKA to invigorate the economy in the region, equipment for greenhouses and seeds have been provided to 560 families. Speaking to reporters, Hatice Kopova, 58, said that they are saving up to 1,500 euros every month thanks to TİKA's support.
In order to support Yuruks in Macedonia, TİKA also renovated over 20 Yuruk schools to be able to provide better education to 4,000 Yuruk children. Moreover, TİKA has been providing financial support for Yuruk children's education for 10 years.
Following the Ottoman conquest of the Balkans in the 14th century, Yuruks Turkmens from Anatolia settled in the mountainous regions of Eastern Macedonia. Yuruks have a rich and unique folklore and mainly earn their livelihood by traditional sheep and goat breeding and agriculture.
