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Support for earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria

14 February 2023

The disaster in Syria and Turkey has also greatly affected the students and staff of Leiden University. At the Dies Natalis, Rector Magnificus Hester Bijl extended her sympathies to those with family and friends in the region. Many students and staff are asking what they can do to help.

The Red Cross is asking for cash donations to official aid organisations. That is the most effective way to provide the urgent help that people need. Eleven charities (Samenwerkende Hulporganisaties) have come together as Giro555 to provide aid to the victims of the earthquake. The Islamic Foundation of the Netherlands (Islamitische Stichting Nederland) has launched an emergency appeal.

Collection points for donations

The Turkish Embassy has posted a list of items that are needed on Facebook together with a list of collection points throughout the Netherlands. The Sleutelstad and Indebuurt sites list a number of collection points in Leiden and The Hague.

Fundraising at the university

  • Leiden students are distributing posters with a QR code that makes it easy to donate to a number of aid organisations. The poster can be found here.
  • Students are manning an information stand in the main hall of the Pieter de la Court building with information and the QR code for donations. Students also held a bake sale there on Tuesday 14 February.
  • The USC is fundraising for the Red Cross and held a spinning marathon at the sports café on 15 February. They have already raised €2490. If you would like to make a small contribution, you can donate on this page.
  • The Netherlands Institute in Turkey (NIT) has launched a fundraiser to raise money to provide support for residents in the immediate vicinity of the archaeological excavations they work on to rebuild their homes. 

If you are a student or staff member and have started a fundraiser that you would like to have mentioned here, send us an email.

Students who have been directly or indirectly affected by the earthquake and are in need of support can contact the university for help. If you wish to talk to someone, you can drop by the Meeting Point in Leiden or The Hague.

Meeting Point @Student center Plexus Leiden: Wed. and Thu. 12.00 to 16.00 hrs., Fri. 11.00 to 13.00 hrs.
Meeting Point/POPcorner, Beehive Studentencentrum Den Haag: Mon., Tue. and Thu. 10.00 to 17.00 hrs.
POPcorner in Lipsius 0.16: Tue. and Thu. 10.00 to 14.00 hrs.

Student psychologist
If you would like to speak with a student psychologist, one will be available at the Meeting Point The Hague from 15.00-16.00 hrs. on 14 February. A psychologist will be available at Meeting Point Leiden from 15.00-16.00 hrs. on 16 February.

Other support
Do you have financial concerns as a result of the earthquake? Or do you have a question about your tuition fees or registration, e.g. because you want to travel to your family in the affected area? Contact a student counsellor.

Support for staff members
If you are a member of staff and need extra support, the university’s health department can help. Please contact the Health, Safety and Environment secretariat at 071 527 8015. For more information, see here (in Dutch).

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