Our thoughts are with all the victims of this unprecedented disaster. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is offering support to our students and staff who have been affected. We can imagine that the event has a great impact on you and that right now, many of you are worried about whether family and friends are safe and alive, where they will stay if their homes have been destroyed and how they will get food, clothing and medical care if needed.
Support
On VU.nl, students and staff can find more information on where to go for help. Staff members can contact their manager for support or contact the Staff Welfare Officer. Students can reach out to the academic advisor of the specific faculty if the situation may affect your study results.
Support group for students
The student conversation group in 3D is open to all students. Here students can get together, share their experiences, and discuss how to navigate the challenges ahead. A spiritual care counsellor will be present during the meetings as well. The group meets once a month and it is possible to attend whenever it suits you.
How can you help?
It is heartwarming to see so many initiatives from the VU community to help the victims in Turkey and Syria.
Fundraising for Turkey and Syria, online and on campus
The most effective way to provide the urgent help that people need, is by donating to one of the official aid organisations:
- National donation possibilities
To ensure that all aid gets to the right places, please consider to donate to the Red Cross or Giro555. Giro555 is an alliance of 11 aid organisations (CARE Nederland, Cordaid, Kerk in Actie, Oxfam Novib, Red Cross, Plan International Nederland, Save the Children, Netherlands Refugee Foundation, Terre des Hommes, UNICEF Nederland and World Vision) that use the funds raised to provide emergency aid in the affected areas and contribute to reconstruction. Cooperating aid organisations are currently working day and night in the affected areas. Among other things, they are helping with search and rescue operations and distributing food, drinks and items such as medicine, winter clothing and blankets. The organisations are also ready to provide both medical and psychological assistance. - Support online Giro555 fundraiser by VU Family of Academic Minds
VU student association FAM, focused on diversity and inclusion, has launched an online fundraising campaign to raise money for those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The money they raise will be donated directly to Giro555. VU Amsterdam supports this initiative. - 3D walk-in meetings
3D, VU Amsterdam's debate, dialogue and diversity centre, opened its doors to those who wanted to gather and reflect on the tragic events in Syria and Turkey. The meetings were be hosted by VU students from FAM and Anatolia. During this event, there was the opportunity to talk and meet each other. The fundraising campaign that is mentioned above, set up by FAM, was also highlighted.
Collecting goods
The Turkish embassy has posted an announcement on Facebook, indicating what resources are needed. It also lists a number of collection points spread throughout the country. Parool's website lists a number of collection points in Amsterdam (article in Dutch).