SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Students at Upstate Medical University are continuing to push for donations after a second earthquake struck the border of Syria and Turkey on Monday. The students, who organized the Syria and Turkey Earthquake Relief Fund through the Upstate Foundation, partnered with the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS). Through this connection, the donations will directly go towards supporting long-term mental health traumas, medical supplies, and creating an emergency response long term.
Upstate Medical University student and daughter of Syrian immigrants Katie Farkouh says the devastation has brought the Syrian region more attention to a place that has been in turmoil for over a decade.
“Obviously this is a very acute thing that happened, but has very significant long term implications. This isn’t something that is just going to blow over, ” Farkouh says.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6th, 2023 has left fatalities exceeding 20,000 with death tolls expected to rise. With factors such as poor healthcare infrastructure and economic instability of both regions, the decision to start the fund was without hesitation for the students.
Since the fund’s start in mid-February, there have been over 5,000 dollars in donations as many Upstate Medical faculty, staff, and colleagues have joined in support. Multiple Upstate student groups including Refugee Health and Wellness Interest Group, Physicians for Human Rights, and National Arab American Medical Association all contribute to the organization of the fundraiser.
“As medical students we kind of have a responsibility to be aware of all of these humanitarian crises happening in the world and a lot feel a need to help,” Farkouh says.
She encourages everyone to keep donating through the Upstate Foundation’s website or to Venmo at Upstate Earthquake Relief.
