Over 150,000 buried. More than 250,000 left homeless. Countless people still trapped under twisted rubble, unable to escape. The scene in Haiti is almost like a scene from an end of world blockbuster reminiscent of 2012 or Armageddon - except this time, it's real. Haiti has plunged into a terrible nightmare and faces years of reconstruction and rebuilding. As University students, we need to do our best to devote as much aid as possible to the relief effort.
On Jan. 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Port-au-prince. Haiti is already one of the poorest nations in the Western hemisphere and this catastrophe wiped out the infrastructure of its most heavily populated city. The need for action grows exponentially almost by the hour, if not the minute. More than 100,000 have already been pronounced dead and buried in mass graves - but still thousands more are buried under rubble, trapped for days with no food or water. Aid has been pouring in from all over the world, but more is always needed.
We have a powerful obligation to help as much as possible. As students, it's easy to get caught up in the bubble of college and become detached from the "real world." But this is a very real situation that calls for help from every corner of the world. Luckily, a very effective relief movement has already started at the University - Hoos for Haiti. Hoos for Haiti, founded by several University students, was created so that students and community members could have a centralized group to handle donations to the Haitian disaster relief fund. All in all, Hoos for Haiti offers the perfect way for all University students to get involved. Instead of donating money to larger charities, you can donate directly to the organization online or in person at room 19 on the West Lawn. The money is divided evenly between four charities; Partners in Health, the American Red Cross, UNICEF, and Gheskio, but money can also be donated to a charity of your choice. Currently, the goal is to raise $100,000 for Haiti relief by Feb. 14. Just this weekend, Hoos for Haiti raised over $30,000 alone through community-centered events in Charlottesville. Its sponsored and supported events range from benefit concerts to silent auctions to t-shirt and armband sales, so there is sure to be at least one way you can get involved. Furthermore, Hoos for Haiti doesn't just raise money for Haiti, but also intends to foster discussion about the social and economic situation in post-earthquake Haiti. According to Lauren Boswell, press coordinator for the campaign, "Hoos for Haiti believes it is extremely worthwhile to not only educate the U.Va. student body about why this happened to Haiti, but also raise money as a collective effort." Ultimately, Hoos for Haiti has a twofold goal
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