Oregon Chapter: Emergency Meeting

Dear FAOC members and Alumni & Friends of Fulbright,

(1) First, we would like to offer to hold an emergency meeting next Monday (November 6th) at 4pm Pacific Time, to discuss what we can do as a Chapter to support Fulbrighters, our alumni, researchers and international students affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

One of our recent alumni, our dear Yousra Abu Sharekh, just recently returned to Gaza after finishing her Fulbright program in Portland, OR, and currently she and her family are going through the horrors of war. During this meeting we can focus on how we can support her and her family and discuss what else we can do to provide support to our wider network of fellows and civilian population in the conflict zone. One of the possible ways is to come up with a fundraiser and see in what ways we can connect affected folks with available resources. For example, IIE created a special fund for students and artists affected by the conflict in the region in the framework of their Crisis Response Program (https://www.iie.org/crisis-response/). Ideally you should come to the meeting with fundraiser ideas or with a list of already existing resources and programs you know about.

The rapid response is essential. The U.S. Department of State’s USAID Center for International Disaster Information recognizes the urgent need of humanitarian support:

Ongoing conflict between the Government of Israel and Hamas has led to substantial loss of life in Israel and Gaza, and destruction of infrastructure, and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people across Gaza. Humanitarian needs in Gaza are expected to grow significantly in the days and weeks ahead.

https://www.cidi.org/disaster-responses/levant-complex-emergency/?fbclid=IwAR1YlNlfJz0kaI0JKQ3Mg_ng9DSaNKVZCjpli8uQGEhUCTklUWjrQ4lON6E

(2) Second, we would like to share with you this letter developed by a diverse group of Fulbright and U.S. Exchange alumni. It is developed to be sent to The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State.

This letter and the signature form were shared by one of the Fulbright Program alumni beyond Oregon Chapter network, by emailing to one of the current FAOC board members.

Please find the full letter here:

You can consider signing and/or sharing with your networks.

Please reach out to us by replying to this email, if you have questions or thoughts to share.