The recent earthquake that shook sections of Pakistan and India has encouraged Seton Hall students to raise money to help the victims of the disaster.
The Pakistan-India Earthquake Relief Campaign Kick Off event took place on Nov. 17 when Ambassador S. Azmat Hassan, professor at the Whitehead School of Diplomacy, gave a presentation about the disaster.
The presentation included information about where the earthquake struck, casualties caused by the earthquake, how international organizations have responded and what still needs to be accomplished.
After the Oct. 8 earthquake, two undergraduate students initially came up with the idea to help with the earthquake relief. The idea was presented to the dean of the Whitehead School of Diplomacy, and the Graduate Diplomacy Council became actively involved in the project.
Following the speech was a cultural performance by two Islamic high school boys who sing at a mosque in Teaneck,, as well as a prayer vigil conducted by the Rev. Stanley Gomes.
“The event on Nov. 17 generated over 80 students, and I believe it was the foundation necessary to begin a campaign of awareness and funds for the victims of the October quake,” junior Erica Salerno said.
As of Nov. 21, about $1,000 had been raised for this cause. All of the money raised for the relief effort is being given to the Red Crescent Society, as suggested by the Division of Volunteer Efforts.
The Seton Hall Association of Indians has helped the relief efforts by collecting donations and doing henna tattoo designs on students’ hands.
The International Students Association has been selling T-shirts to collect donations for the relief fund. To receive a T-shirt, students need to donate a minimum of $5 toward the campaign. The T-shirts depict the areas of Pakistan and India that were affected by the quake.
Any student wishing to donate money for a T-shirt can contact Freedom-Kai Phillips at phillifr@shu.edu.
In addition to the Nov. 17 event, there will be a dinner at Neelam, the Indian restaurant in South Orange. Students in attendance will pay to eat, and all of the money being made will be donated.
Another event involving a cultural performance is also in the planning stages.
“I feel this effort is so vital due to the way in which Western media has downplayed the extent of the tragedy,” Salerno said. “You look at catastrophes like Katrina and you see a massive outpouring of support.”
Salerno said it’s sad U.S. citizens are only motivated to act when it comes to their own country.
“The world is larger than the United States, and we cannot let our geographical distance keep us emotionally isolated from the severity of the South Asian quake,” she said.
The following groups are involved in the relief effort: GDC, the Undergraduate Diplomacy Student Association, Young Socialists for Democratic Change, the International Student Association and the Student Government Association.
These groups are co-sponsoring events as well as hosting their own events to assist in the earthquake relief.
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