USF World News

How to Support Our Global Community During Crises

When global events affect students, staff, and faculty at home, USF World often receives questions about where people can donate or otherwise offer their assistance. This page is designed to help those across the USF community identify vetted organizations and funds that offer resources to those who are most affected by unexpected natural disasters, conflict, and disease outbreaks. If you are a USF student in need of support, please visit this page.

General Resources

USF World International Student Support Fund
Help support USF international students in crisis who have been impacted by world events (such as the conflict in Ukraine), natural disasters (such as the flooding in Pakistan), and/or changes in family or personal circumstances that cause serious financial hardship. Your donations help to support students struggling to pay for everyday expenses such as apartment rent, utilities, household supplies, transportation, and in some cases, travel costs.

UNICEF
UNICEF supports health, nutrition, access to education, safe drinking water, sanitation and protection for children and families caught in global conflicts.

Doctors Without Borders - Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)
MSF offers a range of activities working with local volunteers, organizations, health care professionals and authorities to help people travel to health care facilities and access prescribed medications. Find out more and donate to the most recent crisis here.

CARE International
Social justice organization CARE International is always assessing the most urgent needs to help in the emergency response process throughout the world.

UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
This international organization provides aid such as cash assistance and opportunities for resettlement in the U.S.

International Committee of the Red Cross
The IRIC organization works around the world during global emergencies and is supporting the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross and Pakistan Red Crescent Society.

International Medical Corps
International Medical Corps relieves the suffering of those affected by conflict, disaster and disease, often in difficult and dangerous environments. They deliver vital healthcare services and training that help devastated populations move from relief to self-reliance.

Save the Children
Save the Children delivers key services to vulnerable children around the world, working to provide all children with health, education, and safety - especially in times of conflict or widespread illness. 

Resources for Students on Campus
Students affected by global crsis events can visit this USF World Office of International Services page to find resources available to them on the three USF campuses. Resources listed include financial aid, immigration, counseling, food, academic, and community listings.

Türkiye and Syria-Specific Resources

Bridge to Türkiye Fund
Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF) was established in 2003 by Turkish American volunteers driven to make a difference, to improve life and to cultivate social change for the common good. BTF’s commitment to these ideals stems from our basic desire to give back to our native land for the many opportunities we have gained from her. Read more about how they are assisting earthquake efforts, and how you can help here.

Global Citizen
The Global Citizen  has a good list of 11 resources for those wanting to help relief effords resulting from the deadly earthquake on the Türkiye-Syria border. Some can be found below.

IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation
The IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation is a Turkish NGO that provides humanitarian relief in areas of war, earthquake, hunger, and conflict. They are preparing emergency food bundles for those affected. 

Nuday
NuDay is a non-profit working to secure dignified & empowered aid for women and children affected by humanitarian crises worldwide. Their team is on the ground, responding with emergency aid.

Project HOPE
Project HOPE – the global health and humanitarian aid organization – has deployed emergency response teams in response to the deadly earthquakes that struck in central Türkiye and Northwest Syria in the early morning hours. Read more about their efforts here.

Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)
SAMS is a global medical relief organization that works on the front lines of crisis relief to save lives. They are providing urgent medical care to the injured at Bab Al Hawa hospital among others. Donate now.

Turkish Philanthropy Funds
100% of your donations to this fund will support TPF’s Türkiye Earthquake Relief Fund and recovery/rebuilding efforts. They monitor the impact on affected communities through their partners on the ground. Grants are made through an open call. Initially, the fund helps first responders meet survivors’ immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, medicine, and shelter. As needs evolve, they will support longer-term recovery and rebuilding efforts run by local, vetted partner organizations in the impacted area(s). Donate or help to raise funds on their website.

Pakistan-specific resources

Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan
An international non-profit organization that has been providing disaster management, health services, education, and clean water to Pakistan since 1990. Donations can be made on their website for the Pakistan Emergency Flood Relief Appeal project. 

Humanity & Inclusion
An international independent aid organization working alongside communities experiencing conflict and disaster across 60 countries since 1982. The organization is working to provide emergency supplies including food, cleaning and personal hygiene products, and blankets to displaced families and people living with disabilities in Pakistan. Donations can be made online.

International Rescue Committee
The committee has deployed emergency response teams to provide immediate assistance in Pakistan. Since 1980, the IRC has supported Pakistan by providing food, supplies, and medical support. They have helped nearly 20,000 Pakistan flood victims so far. Donations can be made online.

Shahid Alfridi’s Foundation
This non-profit organization, founded in 2014 by a popular cricketer from Pakistan, works with chapters in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and South Africa to improve the conditions of communities facing emergencies. Working directly in Balochistan and Sindh, the flood relief drives have provided Pakistani victims with food, shelter, blankets, and clothes. Donations can also be made online. 

Ukraine-Specific Resources

USF Health recommendations for individuals looking to support health and medical relief in Ukraine

Pirogov Mobile Hospital seeks direct monetary donations for ambulances and medical care to those affected in Ukraine (credit card or Google Pay).

MEEST is forwarding packages of humanitarian aid directly to Ukraine (they are in need of medical supplies) and is collecting medical supply donations for supporting shipment costs of humanitarian aid (PayPal, credit card). MEEST has also set up an Amazon registry.

Razom has initiated an Emergency Response Project to deliver medical aid directly to Ukraine through their partnership with Kryla Nadiyi (Wings of Hope). They are seeking direct donations (credit card, paypal, bank transfer, check). Razom is a charitable non-profit 501(c)(3), meaning all donations you make are tax deductible. 

Sunflower of Peace is seeking direct donations to provide medical and humanitarian and to doctors and paramedics in Ukraine. Sunflower of Peace is a charitable non-profit 501(c)(3), meaning all donations you make are tax deductible. It has also set up an Amazon registry.