Following the earthquakes of 6 February 2023, Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) urgently opened its campus to approximately three thousand earthquake survivors, meeting their shelter, food and hygiene needs, and carrying out social and psycho-social support activities at various points across the earthquake region. The University continues to heal the wounds of the survivors through the projects it has put into practice and sustains.
In the 3,000-person Kalyon Container City established in the İslahiye district of Gaziantep after the earthquakes, HKU academic and administrative staff and students are working to heal the wounds of the earthquake through social and psycho-social support programmes for earthquake-affected children, young people, women and adults, healthcare and counselling activities, handicraft and cooperative workshops, and YKS/LGS preparation courses. Most recently, they delivered 1,500 books they had procured to earthquake-affected students preparing for the LGS/YKS exams.
WE ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT ON A BROAD SCALE
Giving information about the work carried out, HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli said: “To the best of our ability and as far as we can reach, we are trying to support earthquake survivors on a broad scale. In Adıyaman, in Kahramanmaraş, in İslahiye in Gaziantep, in Kırıkhan in Hatay, in tent cities and in container cities, we are trying to support our earthquake-affected students and fellow citizens, to share their pain and to lift their morale. We are striving to make the projects and services we have launched for earthquake survivors sustainable. Everyone is doing what they can and giving support. They are volunteering. Everyone contributes according to their own competence. Our Department of Special Education helps earthquake survivors with special education needs. Our Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation deals with the treatment of physical trauma caused by the earthquake. Our Department of Psychology is implementing a comprehensive psycho-social support programme. Our students who love theatre are staging plays for earthquake-affected children. Our Continuing Education Centre gives LGS/YKS preparation courses to earthquake-affected students. Our Women and Family Research and Application Centre organises programmes for our women and families. We have mobilised for our earthquake survivors with all of our staff, students and units.”
