We, Heads of the Universities of the EELISA Alliance, stand in solidarity with the Turkish and Syrian peoples, and express our sincere condolences and sympathy to the victims, their families, and the people suffering the devastating consequences of the earthquake of 6 February and its aftershocks.

Together with our Alliance member İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi (ITÜ), we commit to helping ITÜ in meeting its urgent needs and supporting its students.

We ask our communities to respond generously with all they can contribute to mitigate the suffering of the people and enable a quick reconstruction of the damaged infrastructures.

We hereby declare a day of mourning on 27 February and call on all our campuses, schools and faculties to observe a minute’s silence to honour those who have lost their lives in both countries and to send our most heartfelt wishes for a quick recovery of those injured.

The Rectors, Presidents and Directors of the Universities of the EELISA Alliance