The Organization of Young Filipino Americans held a vigil on the Rotunda steps Friday evening for victims of typhoon Haiyan, which recently devastated the Philippines. The storm hit last Nov. 7, killing a confirmed 3,600, displacing nearly 700,000 others, and impacting an estimated 10 million people.
Attendees divided into groups based on their respective stages of grief. Families of at least two University students were directly impacted by the disaster.
Greg Hsu, the campus minister for the Asian-American Intervarsity, who helped plan the vigil, said the event was intended to provide an “all-inclusive” space.
“[People needed a space to] personally process their experience,” Hsu said. “Members of the [Charlottesville] community are still hearing from family [in the Philippines].”
Currently, transportation and communication is severely limited in affected areas in the islands. An estimated 11 million Filipinos remain in need of assistance, and the process of identifying and caring for the dead is moving slowly, according to a United Nations press release. The UN has called for $301 million in aid.
Since the typhoon struck, OYFA has begun a dual-phased relief effort, focusing both on providing immediate necessities and foodstuffs to the Philippines, as well as raising funds for future rebuilding efforts.
Read More
Student Technology Council aims to represent students on technological issues
By Solomon Ross-Milligan | 15 hours agoSTC is currently a 20-member council and includes students from across schools and organizations within the University.
Woodruff and Bouie discuss freedom of the press, emphasize need for nonpartisan news
By Robert Head | 15 hours agoAfter an introduction by Jane Kamensky, president and chief executive officer of Monticello, Woodruff answered Bouie’s prompts on topics such as modern threats to the press, the objectivity of the press and Americans’ declining trust in news outlets.
With midterm elections approaching, Miller Center experts share foresight
By Reilly Auld and Luca Bailey | YesterdayThese midterm Congressional elections are generally viewed as an opportunity for voters to evaluate the incumbent President’s performance in their first two years in office.
