In the wake of a major earthquake that struck China earlier this week and has claimed more than 10,000 lives, members of the UCLA community are pooling in their efforts to respond to the disaster.
The 7.9-magnitude earthquake, which struck southeastern China earlier this week, has caused the collapse of numerous houses, schools and buildings.
Four days later, thousands of people still remain buried in the rubble, and the death toll is only expected to rise.
A candlelight vigil for the victims of the earthquake will be held by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association in the Court of Sciences, between Young Hall and Boelter Hall, at 8:30 p.m. today.
Monetary donations that will be collected at the event are planned to help the children affected by the earthquake. Other student groups have also said they are planning to help with the disaster relief.
Amy Sean, a fourth-year political science student and president of the Association of Chinese Americans, said that, though the student group was busy preparing for its annual culture show, it set up a donation box the night of the performance to fundraise for earthquake relief.
James Guan, secretary of the Association of Chinese Americans, said that, though this is just a first step in the student group’s relief efforts, he hopes people will be aware that thousands of people have died and many more remain homeless and without food.
“This is our first step, but I’m sure we’re going to put the word out to everyone at UCLA to help us,” he said.
Tony Kwok, a third-year electrical engineering student and internal vice president of the Chinese Student Association, said he believes this is a test for China.
“Right now, as we’re speaking, there are people still dying,” he said.
Sean said she believes that, especially in light of the upcoming Olympic games, it is crucial for the Chinese government to show leadership and respond well to the earthquake.
She said she would like to see China set up shelters for people whose homes have been destroyed and reallocate money and resources from other projects to supply food and ensure that people who have lost their family financial providers will have financial support.
“All eyes are on China right now, and how they respond is going to show how far they’ve progressed as a country,” Sean said.
Kwok said the Chinese Student Association is collaborating with other groups to provide relief to the victims of the earthquake.
During an upcoming Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month festival held by the Asian Pacific Coalition, there are plans to hold a fundraiser to help the victims of the earthquake, Kwok said.
Kwok said Chinese Student Association members will also participate in an upcoming charity banquet planned by the Intercollegiate Chinese Organization Network.
Cecilia Chen, a second-year global studies student and social relations director of the Chinese Student Association, said the student group is also collaborating with the Hong Kong Student Society at UCLA to help at a telethon fundraiser held by the Cantonese television station TVB this Saturday.
“It’s an unexpected event, so we’re trying to get as much support as we can,” she said.
Kwok said he doesn’t believe many UCLA students have family in the region because it’s a more rural area from which not many people emigrate to the United States.
Though Kwok and Sean may not be personally affected by the tragedy, Sean said a couple of members of her staff have family living near the epicenter of the earthquake.
“For them, they were fortunate because none of them were too badly affected in terms of lives and injuries,” she said.
Liz Gong-Guy, director of UCLA Student Psychological Services, said services are available to students affected by the earthquake. There are three Mandarin-speaking psychologists to help students whose primary language is Mandarin to cope with the tragedy, she said.