Members of our community will have seen the shocking news reports from Turkey and Syria, where major earthquakes have claimed thousands of lives, and have injured many more.

We offer our deepest sympathies to all those affected. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and those who are awaiting news of family members or friends.

UK Government advice is that anyone in the UK concerned about relatives or friends should call the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on 020 7008 5000. The FCDO has also updated their travel advice webpages for Turkey and for Syria.

We are not currently aware of anyone from our University community who has been directly affected, but support is available if you have been affected by these events.

Support for students

Support is available for students through:

• our Wellbeing Service within Student Support (call +44 (0)1225 383838 or request an appointment using our online form)
  
• our Be Well - Talk Now service, which provides free, confidential advice and support by phone, video call or live chat from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. From within the UK, call 0808 196 8046. From outside the UK, please call +44 3 307771499
  
• the SU (students’ union), which has an Advice and Support Centre
  
• the Chaplaincy staff are available to talk with anyone who has been affected. Please email chaplaincy@bath.ac.uk
• if you are a student from the affected region and are concerned about your financial situation, please book a confidential appointment with Student Money Advice or apply for the Hardship Fund.
  

Support for staff

Support is available for staff members through:

• our Employee Assistance Programme, which offers support and counselling services to those who may need it
  
• you may wish to speak with your line manager or your HR contact
  
• the 24/7 online and phone-based Education Support Partnership service, which is an independent counselling service
  
• the Chaplaincy staff are available to talk with anyone who has been affected. Please email chaplaincy@bath.ac.uk.

If you are a staff member who is concerned about a student who may have been affected, please call 01225 384321.

Ways you can help

If you would like to donate in support of the humanitarian response, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an appeal.

The SU is also holding a donation point in the Weston Studios at The Edge from 10am–4pm on Wednesday 8 February. They are collecting blankets, winter clothes, flashlights, sanitary products and tents. Everything they collect will be shipped to King's College London on Wednesday evening and loaded onto a plane for Turkey on Thursday.