Earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.7 and 7.6, the epicenter of which were in the Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş, shook Turkey deeply. While search and rescue efforts continue in the region, İstanbul University (İU) has also mobilized.

In-kind and Cash Aids Provided

İstanbul University provides support to the disaster area with the teams it sends to the earthquake area and the aid it provides. First of all, a crisis desk was created in the İstanbul University Rectorate regarding the earthquake disaster. İstanbul University, which coordinates with the Provincial Health Directorate and AFAD, donated 100 thousand TL in cash through the İstanbul University Research and Aid Foundation through AFAD. Donation support was provided from 5 foundations affiliated to İU Faculty of Law. Members of İU who wanted to donate in kind and in cash were directed to the relevant public institutions and organizations.



İU also supported earthquake victims by providing in-kind donations. The Rectorate sent 300 children's boots, 300 children's coats, 300 hats and 300 gloves to 10 affected by the earthquake through AFAD, within the scope of in-kind aid. İU Faculty of Medicine sent 500 blankets, 500 hygiene kits and 500 sleeping bags to the earthquake zone. A aid campaign was organized, coordinated by the student clubs affiliated to the Faculty of Political Sciences of İU and supported by all faculty clubs and staff.

4 physicians, 1 psychologist, 1 nurse, 7 cooks/assistant cooks, 3 drivers and 4 volunteer personnel working within the Department of Health, Culture and Department went to Hatay for support. They took with them 1 truck of medical supplies, 6 thousand cans, 3 thousand halvah, 3 thousand pieces of water, 3 thousand pieces of bread and 5 tents.

An informative text on aid campaigns was shared from the joint sharing group of AACSB, where İU Faculty of Business Administration is internationally accredited, and with this announcement, all members of the business school association, which has approximately 40 thousand members from many countries of the world, were reached.

An intensive study was carried out under four titles within the scope of the “Disaster Awareness Project for Individuals and Families” in cooperation with İstanbul University and AFAD. These activities are:

a- Disaster awareness training of İstanbul University top managers

b- Online disaster awareness training of academic and administrative staff

c- Encouraging AUZEF Emergency and Disaster Management (Associate Degree – Distance) and Emergency Aid and Disaster Management (Bachelor Completion – Open Education) students to AFAD Volunteering Project

d- Providing online Disaster Awareness Training to all students at İstanbul University (including AUZEF students) and providing a special certificate of participation to students who complete the training.

According to this:

a- 155,000 students participated in the training.

b- 22,433 students were entitled to receive certificates.

Under the coordination of the ITF Public Health Department, a plan was made to establish a center (İstanbul University Disaster Management Application and Research Center) to carry out studies in the field of disaster and to coordinate the intensive field activities with the academy.

Faculty members of İstanbul University Faculty of Architecture participated in the building damage assessment commissions in the earthquake zone and continue their work.

Support to Search and Rescue Efforts

The İSUDAK (İstanbul University Search and Rescue Club- İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa partnership) team of 20 people participated in search and rescue efforts in Hatay-Iskenderun. 8 personnel were assigned, 7 of whom were in Hatay and 1 in Kahramanmaraş, from UMKE personnel working at the İstanbul Faculty of Medicine. 2 personnel also provided follow-up and coordination at the İstanbul Medical Faculty Center. Accompanying people were sent from the language departments of İstanbul University to support the international teams that came to the earthquake areas. So far, delegations from Spain, Argentina and China have been accompanied by the relevant language.

Blood Donation Acceptance in İU

The Kızılay was contacted, and blood donations were accepted at the İU Rectorate. There was an intense application from İU faculty members and students to donate blood. Beds in every branch were reserved within the İstanbul Faculty of Medicine for patients who may come from earthquakes. Support was provided to newborn patient care and treatment services within the İstanbul Faculty of Medicine. A voluntary donor chain was established for blood stocks at the İstanbul Medical Faculty Blood Center.

Treatment of Earthquake Victims Started

The treatment of the patients sent from the region and interested in different branches was started, and those deemed suitable were discharged. As of now, the treatment of 50 earthquake victims continues. 30 health personnel from different branches and titles working at the İstanbul Faculty of Medicine were also assigned to the earthquake zones. The task change of the first team sent and the teams that will go later was planned. Exchanges between the teams of doctors began. Our teams work in Hatay Dörtyol, Hatay Sahra, Mersin City, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Gaziantep Islahiye District State, Osmaniye State and Samandağ State Hospitals under the coordination of AFAD.

The operations of the earthquake victims who were transferred to İstanbul Faculty of Medicine were also started quickly. Within the knowledge of the Ministry of Health, radiologists at the İstanbul Faculty of Medicine provided support for radiological examinations by providing remote opinions. Nurse and caregiver support was provided to Çukurova University Balcalı Hospital upon the request of the university.

İU Opened its Guesthouse in Antalya to Earthquake Victims

Located in Antalya, the guesthouse belonging to İU has been allocated for the use of 25 earthquake victims sent via AFAD. Nutrition, health, and psychological support services were structured by assigning 3 officers to the guesthouse. The necessary coordination continues to be made with Antalya AFAD.

In addition, students residing in 10 provinces affected by the earthquake were contacted one-on-one through the academic units they are affiliated with. In this context, 3 thousand 379 students were supported. The status of these students and their families was followed up independently instantly.

News: Esen Dolma
İU Department of Corporate Communication