KUŞKOR, translating to North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Birds and Nature, has been active in North Cyprus for over 10 years, and strives to educate the Turkish Cypriot population about protecting birdlife and nature through presentations to schools and villages, as well as monitoring the bird population on the island as best it can, whether migratory or native.

If you’re living in North Cyprus as a foreign resident then it’s useful to know that there are expat residents’ groups around to offer a helping hand in times of need, or if you require some specific information about something.

North Cyprus has a wonderful reputation for its ability to form effective and extremely helpful organisations to benefit the local and expat population.

SOS in North Cyprus does a great job in ensuring that all children who need help, whether through being orphaned or because they have parents who cannot for some reason look after and raise them, are given as much help and support as required through their programmes and facilities.

North Cyprus does suffer somewhat from the ‘stray dog’ syndrome, and many expats will take on the odd ‘pet’ found in their local area to lighten to load somewhat, but unfortunately there is no real solution in place to ensure that stray animals are neutered to prevent the population overload that occurs, especially with cats and dogs.

If you’re living in North Cyprus there’s often the question of what to do as an expat, especially if you like to participate in social gatherings and want to get involved in local activities which are of a more social nature.

KEMA, or the Cyprus Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats, was formed by around 40 people under the leadership of Dr. Orhan Aydeniz in 2005, amidst growing concern about the deforestation and destruction of natural habitats throughout North Cyprus.