Dear Colleagues, Northern Virginia Community College expresses sympathy and concern regarding the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey and the tragic impact on members of our community–particularly our Syrian and Turkish employees and students, those with family and friends in Syria and Turkey, and members of the military and diplomatic services.
We know that members of our NOVA community may need support, and we would like to remind all NOVA employees and students, regardless of their full-or part-time status, that they have access to TimelyCare. TimelyCare provides 24/7 access to free virtual care from anywhere in the United States. Click here for information about TimelyCare for NOVA employees. And click here for information about TimelyCare for NOVA students.
Additionally, support is available for NOVA employees with health plans offered to state employees and their dependents through the Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
F-1 students who need assistance can reach out to NOVA's Office of International Students.
Office of Wellness and Mental Health resources can be found here. This includes a Mental Health Referral Database as well as other resources available to you.
Our NOVA community is a caring one, and inquiries have come in asking how to contribute to the relief efforts as the long and difficult recovery begins. For those of you who may wish to donate financially to earthquake relief efforts, the Charity Navigator tool may help in identifying national charities that are providing relief and recovery. Additionally, the New York Times recently provided the list below of national/international charities that are accepting donations.
- The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, better known as UNICEF, is in Syria and prioritizing water, sanitation, hygiene and nutrition, and focusing on helping unaccompanied children locate their families. UNICEF is accepting donations.
- Global Giving, which helps local non-profit agencies, is collecting donations to help fund emergency medical workers’ ability to provide food, shelter and medicine, among other necessities.
- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is requesting donations for its Disaster Response Emergency Fund so it can send “immediate cash assistance.”
- OXFAM, an international organization that fights poverty, said it is working with women’s cooperatives in Turkey to determine an appropriate, immediate and long-term response plan. It is accepting donations.
- CARE, an organization that works with impoverished communities, is accepting donations that will go toward food, shelter and hygiene kits, among other items.
- Doctors Without Borders, which responds to medical emergencies around the world, is collecting donations.
- The Syrian American Medical Society, a U.S.-based humanitarian group that supplies medical care in Syria and nearby countries, is collecting donations to deliver emergency aid.
- Save the Children is accepting donations for its Children’s Emergency Fund, which will help provide children with food, shelter and warm clothing.
- The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations, which since 2012 has provided medical relief and health care services inside Syria and to Syrian refugees in Turkey, is collecting money.