October 12, 2005 Source: York University:
http://www.yorku.ca/mediar/archive/Release.asp?Release=961 York responds to earthquake disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan and northern India The faculty, staff and students of York University have been deeply moved by the devastation caused by Saturday’s earthquake in Pakistan, Afghanistan and northern India. Members of the York community wish to join with Canadians, aid agencies and the international community in a collective desire to assist the victims of this disaster. girl earthquake"The scale of this tragedy and the human suffering it has caused is just staggering," said Lorna Marsden, York University President and Vice Chancellor. "Many members of the York community have family and friends from the region. Our compassion as a community can bring hope to those who have survived the initial devastation but are in need of immediate assistance." President Marsden expressed these sentiments earlier in the week to Pakistan’s Consul General Ghalib Iqbal, along with the condolences of the York community in the wake of the country’s worst earthquake in more than a decade. The death toll of the massive 7.6-magnitude earthquake is currently 30,000. Seven million people have been displaced, including 2.5 million in Pakistan. In northern Pakistan and Kashmir entire villages have been buried under debris, while international aid and rescue efforts have been hampered by difficult conditions. The Office of the Associate Vice President International will provide special emergency bursaries to York international students whose families have been directly affected by the earthquake. Students should call (416) 736-5177 for further information. York’s Centre for Student Community and Leadership Development has contacted a number of student groups to offer administrative and logistical assistance for student-led fundraising efforts. The following student groups are already actively raising funds for earthquake victims in the region: Pakistani Students Federation, Muslim Students Association, Bharatiya at York, the York Federation of Students as well as Shalom Salam. For further information, students are asked to contact the Centre for Student Community and Leadership Development at 416-736-5144. Donations to Relief Agencies Information is available for those who may wish to make a donation to charitable organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross, UNICEF or the Canadian Salvation Army.
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