Universities and students take action following earthquake

In eastern Turkey and northern Syria, more than 5,000 people were killed during the most powerful earthquake in decades, which struck the region on Monday morning. The United Nations says that the death toll could rise to more than 20,000, as many people are still missing. Students and teachers are among those affected: 70 of them remain trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings, while many others are injured or missing.

Turkish and Syrian higher education institutions in the affected provinces have temporarily suspended exams and classes and are focusing on collecting emergency relief items including food, medicine and sheets as well as training volunteers. Students are also donating blood for transfusions, reports University World News.

Students in the Netherlands
Pledges of support and assistance have flooded in from universities and student associations across the world. The Amsterdam-based Turkish student association SV Anatolia, for example, is mobilising resources to raise money. “Everyone wants to help,” chairperson Safa Yilmaz tells the Dutch newspaper Het Parool. “The news has gripped people, with many messaging each other to ask ‘is your family okay?’ Some of our committee members also have family living in the area.”

Utrecht
UU understands the impact this has for Turkish students, which is why the university is planning on sending an e-mail to all students from Turkey or of Turkish descent later this week, telling them that, if they have questions or problems related to the earthquake, they are can come forward for additional guidance.