Students concerned about support for earthquake victims
Date 11/3/2005 12:00 AM | Topic: NewsOn Oct. 8, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale hit the South Asian subcontinent, causing widespread devastation and loss of life in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.
The death toll has exceeded 79,000 people and over 3 million people have been left homeless.
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the earthquake killed at least 17,000 children when schools collapsed in the upheavals.
The United Nations is currently warning of the possibility of lethal outbreaks of measles, cholera and diarrhea in the area, and heavy rain and hail continue to impose misery on hungry, shivering earthquake survivors.
Though much of the relief efforts have come from national governments and international organizations, small groups have also played a role in helping the victims of the earthquake.
Luther College and the Decorah community are providing support especially to the children affected by the disaster.
The Asian Student Association and Allies (ASAA), with assistance from the Muslim Student Association and the International Student Association set up tables outside Marty's in order to collect donations from students.
Despite the fact that the community has provided some aid, however, there has been criticism that the relief activities are not as significant when compared to the efforts made for the Hurricane Katrina crisis earlier this fall.
Hassan Ashgar ('05), one of three students at Luther from Pakistan, was concerned about the state of his country and the level of support being provided for the victims.
"Fortunately my family was not harmed by the quake, but the country is facing serious humanitarian crisis," Ashgar said. "Although there has been some help from the community, I do not feel we are doing enough as compared to the Katrina disaster."
The ASAA realized that a large number of students were not aware the earthquake had occurred.
In an effort to rectify the problem, the association utilized an overhead projector during the fundraising effort to display PowerPoint slides of the earthquake's victims and extent of the natural disaster in several cities in South Asia.
Yee Seir Kee ('06), while appreciative of students' responses, was concerned about the campus' awareness of the disaster.
"I am amazed by the generosity and compassion of Luther students and faculty," Kee said. "But I was shocked, as well, during the fund-raising by the number of Luther students that do not pay attention or know about current issues around the world."
Molly Sheppard ('07), vice president of the ASAA observed that there have been so many domestic and world disasters that it has been difficult for people to choose who to help and how much to give.
Sheppard still appreciated the donations that community members did offer.
"I feel that the response we received from the Luther community was fairly good," Sheppard said. "It was really nice to see people responding to the needs of others even though they are not from our home."
It is becoming difficult for students to decide which disaster or activity to direct their resources and energy.
"I value the importance of providing help to others who are in need but now it is becoming overwhelming to choose whom to help. I hate to admit this, but I almost feel numb," NanaYaa Adu-Gyamfi ('07) said.
The ASAA and other student groups also organized a charity bake sale in Miller, Dieseth, Brandt and Valders. The bakery items were donated by local businesses in Decorah including Dayton House, Ruby's, Waving Grains, Back Home Bakery and The Family Table. Luther Dining Services and Marty's also provided cookies and muffins for the bake sale. Some of the members of the associations baked their own confectioneries and brought them to the sale. Over the four days of fund-raising the students raised over $687.
Some students also commented on the Pakistan earthquakes.
"Just when I thought Hurricane Katrina was the worst thing to happen to us in recent times, the earthquake in Pakistan and the number of lives it has taken reminded me how lucky we are," Eric Ellingson ('06) said. "I remember those who survived the earthquake in my prayers."
A representative at the Red Cross office in Decorah said that the office has not received any donations so far for the relief efforts of the affected countries. The American Red Cross hopes people will show as much concern for this disaster as they did for Hurricane Katrina.
College Ministries is considering ways in which it can support the victims in Pakistan and the rest of the South Asian sub-region.
Aid and relief agencies in the countries hit by the earthquake are calling for more donations of cash and materials, especially for the winter months ahead.
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Godson Sowah
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