Sharing Information and Resources on Turkey and Syria

In Support of our Turkish and Syrian Communities

The recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria were devastating and we are heartbroken by their impact. We share your concern and wish to express our deepest sympathy for members of our UC Davis community impacted by this terrible catastrophe. We have provided this space to share resources and offer support. 

UC Davis Leadership Statements

Students and Campus Engagement

  • Gathering for Earthquake Community Support on March 15, 2023, 5-7pm at the International Center. This informal gathering, organized by the Turkish Student Association, is open to faculty, staff and students. If you feel you were affected by the earthquake, please consider attending.
  • The Turkish Student Association is tabling in Davis and on campus to engage with the community.
    • Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Davis Farmers Market
    • Weekdays at the MU/Silo from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Fundraiser at Cultive Frozen Yogurt, February 25, 2023, 12–10 p.m. This event is organized by the Turkish Student Association.
  • Virtual Rx Healing Circle on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 6–7:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the UC Davis Health Office for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Resources

  • For Students
  • You may find that talking to someone is helpful in processing everything you are going through. There are a variety of mental health resources available for students on the Aggie Mental Health website. Appointments are available with Counseling Services to all registered students in the U.S. For students in the School of Medicine and Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, see also resources from the Office of Student Wellness.  

    Students with ties to the area may wish to contact Affaf Waseem, director for Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian Student Resources in the Student Community Center, at awaseem@ucdavis.edu, with any questions or concerns or if you need someone to talk to.

    The Turkish Student Association is a registered student organization. Visit their Facebook page or Instagram account to connect with them and learn about how they are supporting the Turkish community. 

    UC Davis international students: For questions about your visa, traveling outside the U.S. or other related questions, please make an appointment with your international student advisor in Services for International Students and Scholars within Global Affairs.

    UC Davis created a Global Community Emergency Fund to provide direct support to members of the UC Davis community, including visiting scholars, students, faculty and their families, who have urgent and immediate financial needs related to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and other circumstances beyond their control. For more information, please contact Beth Greenwood, associate dean for international programs, director of LL.M. programs and lecturer of law.

    We encourage our contacts in the affected areas to sign up for a virtual backpack through     Article 26 Backpack, a joint project between Global Affairs and Human Rights Studies that offers a secure way to store educational and other important documents. This cloud-based solution is free to all and administered and protected by the University of California.
  • For Faculty, Staff and Scholars

  • Academic and Staff Assistance Program offers confidential and cost-free assessment, counseling, consultation and referral services to all UC Davis and UC Davis Health faculty, staff and families. For scholars located in Davis, please call 530-752-2727 for an appointment. For scholars in Sacramento, please call 916-734-2727 for an appointment. In addition, mental health support is available in the form of in-person meetings and Zoom drop-in support groups.

    UC Davis international scholars: For questions about your visa, traveling outside the U.S. or other related questions, please make an appointment with your international scholar advisor in Services for International Students and Scholars within Global Affairs.

    UC Davis created a Global Community Emergency Fund to provide direct support to members of the UC Davis community, including visiting scholars, students, faculty and their families, who have urgent and immediate financial needs related to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and other circumstances beyond their control. For more information, please contact Beth Greenwood, associate dean for international programs, director of LL.M. programs and lecturer of law.

    We encourage our contacts in the affected areas to sign up for a virtual backpack through     Article 26 Backpack, a joint project between Global Affairs and Human Rights Studies that offers a secure way to store educational and other important documents. This cloud-based solution is free to all and administered and protected by the University of California.

  • Opportunities to Support

  • UC Davis is mobilizing our Global Community Emergency Fund, to provide support to members of the UC Davis community who have urgent and immediate financial needs related to this crisis. If you would like to learn more about efforts taking place, please visit the Give UC Davis - Global Community Emergency Fund website. 

    Below are some organizations and networks accepting donations to aid the earthquake survivors:

    -     The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – the world’s largest humanitarian network, supporting local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 192 countries, bringing together almost 15 million volunteers for the good of humanity.

    -     Turkish Philanthropy Funds – leading U.S. community foundation for high-impact social investments dedicated to Turkish and Turkish-American communities.

    -     BridgeToTurkiye     – a U.S. based non-profit supporting Turkey during this devastating time.

    -     The Syrian American Medical Society – a global medical relief organization working in the frontlines of crisis relief in Syria and beyond to save lives and alleviate suffering.

    -     Project Hope – a global health and humanitarian relief organization addressing public health challenges by delivering urgently needed medicines, supplies, and training for health workers.

    -     UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency – a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

    -     The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) – working in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child.

    -     House of Turkey – a Southern California nonprofit whose mission is to promote universal awareness of the diversity and richness of Turkish culture, country, traditions, and people.

    -     Doctors without Borders – delivering emergency medical aid to people in crisis, with humanitarian projects in more than 70 countries.
    -     Middle East Studies Association – you can donate to sponsor memberships for scholars affected by the earthquakes.

    Turkish graduate students within the UC Davis Psychology Department put together a compilation of reputable campaigns set up as emergency relief funds​​​​.

    The Turkish Student Association put together a list of a few non-profits where people can donate.