As a research community committed to and grounded in the MENA region, we are deeply saddened by the devastating impact of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. This disaster has left tens of thousands dead and millions homeless, under conditions exacerbated by freezing temperatures, insufficient funds, and years of conflict. We express our deepest condolences and share in the grief of those affected by this calamity.
We urge institutions of higher education to recognize not only the magnitude of the devastation but the urgency of supporting those in our professional and community networks who are struggling to comprehend the scope of the disaster, worrying about, and desperately trying to reach their loved ones. It is critical that we express solidarity with the students, staff, and faculty from the region and look for ways to act on this basis.
Recognizing that it can be difficult to know where to begin, we provide a list of some organizations that are currently providing humanitarian assistance to survivors in affected communities. These international organizations are well-ranked in Charity Navigator and Charity Watch.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
UN World Food Program
Syrian American Medical Society
CARE
UNICEF
For people who prefer to give to local organizations, we recognize that the organizational landscape is complex and recommend that you contact those working in and on the region who have local expertise. Many members of the APSA MENA Politics section are actively circulating the names of local NGOs providing frontline relief in both Turkey and Syria. As a start, we refer people to follow @femmemena, @LiselHintz, @rbkhoury, @SBGumrukcu, and/or @se_parkinson