Atatürk University continues its aid operation from the first moment for the citizens affected by the disaster after the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake.

Atatürk University, which created a crisis center and prepared the action plan right after the earthquake news, arrived in Malatya, which is among the provinces affected by the earthquake, with a 53-person aid team, and then, organized a large-scale aid organization to deliver it to those in need.

The team, which set out on the day of the earthquake, came to Malatya in the evening and immediately rushed to the aid of those who suffered by distributing tasks. Doctors and nurses, who were among the team of 53 people, started to work in various hospitals. The technical team of 33 people participated in search and rescue activities in the center of Malatya.

Atatürk University stands by Earthquake Victims with Human Resources and Relief Materials

In a short time, a significant participation was achieved in the aid campaign initiated by the Atatürk University Development Foundation. The aid, which was provided by the contributions of the citizens, especially the parents of Private Foundation Schools, academic and administrative staff, and philanthropists, moved to the earthquake zone with two heavy tonnage vehicles.

In vehicles moving towards the earthquake zone were 3 thousand 500 blankets, 2000 shoes, 1950 children's coats, 1175 adult coats, 3150 diapers, 3500 wet wipes, 2000 children's food, 1856 gloves, 1625 hats and caps, 300 scarves, 2000 cleaning materials, 50 electrical heaters, 5 tents, 30 thousand water, 250 boxes of disinfectant, 500 boxes of food materials, 20 thousand breads, 20 sacks of potatoes and legumes.

Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı, the vice-rectors, the secretary-general, the Private Foundation Schools family and many personnel sent off the vehicles loaded with aid materials.

Significant Amount of Aid Materials Provided in a Short Time

Rector Çomaklı stated that Erzurum, which is among the cities that felt the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake closely, organized from the first moment and rushed to the aid of the disaster victims, adding: “The aid committee consisting of health personnel and technical team arrived in Malatya and immediately started field work. From the moment we received the news, many of our citizens, who were sensitive to the call for help, immediately returned and a significant amount of aid material was provided in a short time.”

“The Grim News Made Our Hearts Hurt”

"Materials most needed by the citizens affected by the earthquake were immediately collected and placed in the vehicles. As Atatürk University, we once again say 'get well soon to all earthquake victims and our nation.' We wish God's mercy on our citizens who lost their lives in the earthquake that hurt our hearts, and a speedy recovery to our injured citizens. After receiving the news, we immediately held a coordination meeting. We evaluated what we could do for our earthquake victims. We immediately sent our pioneer team to the earthquake zone. Afterwards, our two-day fundraising campaign drew great interest from our citizens. We are sending our vehicles to the earthquake zone again today, as it was yesterday.  As Atatürk University, we will try to do our best for our citizens living in this painful situation in our country in these difficult days," he said.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE – 07.02.2023