Disaster struck Taiwan in the form of an earthquake Tuesday and now the Chinese Student Association is rallying to raise aid for survivors.
The earthquake, which registered a 7.6 on the Richter scale, left at least 2,000 dead.
Lily Lin, third-year Commerce student and CSA treasurer, said after hearing about the earthquake, she began to organize fundraising efforts for the victims.
"Hopefully the University community will be supportive," Lin said.
Yesterday the CSA set up a table at Newcomb Hall and plans to go to the Lawn as part of their fundraising efforts, said Dan Wong, fourth-year Engineering student and CSA secretary.
Tonight the CSA will be collecting for earthquake relief at the Full Moon Festival at Newcomb Hall, Lin said.
The CSA plans to continue efforts throughout next week, Wong said.
Asst. Dean of Students Glenna Chang said she met with CSA officers to help them organize their efforts for fundraising.
"It's been received really well," Chang said.
The Office of the Dean of Students has also worked with international students, letting them know about what help is available from the University, she said.
Peter Yu, assistant dean of the office of African-American affairs, and Assoc. Psychology Prof. William Anderson have been available to help students having emotional trouble with the earthquake, Lin said.
Students with family affected by the quake probably will need help coping with the financial troubles and emotional trauma, she said.
Once the money has been raised, the CSA has to figure out the best way to get their funding to the people who need it most.
Lin said going through the American Red Cross may be problematic, because the Chinese government has established restrictions regarding the disbursement of such relief.
The relationship between China and Taiwan has been difficult for the CSA's fundraising efforts and demonstrated that the Chinese government doesn't consider Taiwan part of China, she added.
"China offered aid for show, for public relations. It's not fair to the people," Lin said.
The earthquake that hit Taiwan had a magnitude greater than the one that hit Turkey last month.
Over 15,000 people were killed during that disaster.
Taiwan has also been hit with several aftershocks since the initial earthquake.
The aftershocks registered 6.1 and 6.8, effectively two more earthquakes, Lin said.
The cities of Nantou and Taichung were hit the hardest, with over 1,800 dead between them.
Only the outskirts of Taipei were affected directly by the earthquake, Lin said, but she said the lower to middle class people in central Taiwan need the most help.
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