Thousands of lives were changed forever on November 8, 2013 when Typhoon ‘Haiyan’ hit the Philippines.
With countless dead, missing, injured or left homeless, family and friends hold on to hope that their loved ones are safe. However, with less than adequate aid available to those suffering, finding hope is getting harder.
Hazel Nonan, vice president of the Filipino Student Association of York, says that she doesn’t think there’s enough aid going on to help the people that are affected by the typhoon.
“The government knows there are about 20-24 typhoons that hit each year, and there isn’t any relief funds saved up,” she sayssays Nolan. “They knew the typhoon was going to hit a week before, and yet where is that money?”
The FSAY plans on reaching out to both students of York as well as in the GTA with several charity events including bake sales and a tri-university vigil. Students from U of T, Ryerson and York are invited to come out to Hart House on Friday November 22 at 5 pm. Candles will be sold for one dollar and donations to Red Cross are welcome but not mandatory.
Nolan notessays that personally, she feels that the Philippines government shouldn’t focus on rebuilding the city, it should be more focused towards the relief effort, making sure people have food and shelter.
In terms of finding a good organization to donate too, she is frustrated.
“It’s hard because you don’t know how to help. It’s hard donating money because you never know where exactly that money will end up,” says Nonan. “My family usually sends money directly to family and friends.”
It’s not only the FSAY that are planning on doing their part.
Prakash Amarasooriya, president of the Salsa Club and Doctors Without Borders, is also looking to raise money and spread awareness with events happening in Vari Hall this week.“
Ryan Valerio, president of the FSAY says the places where Hurricane Katrina and the Japanese tsunami hit are still rebuilding because of relief donations.
“Because our country isn’t that well off to begin with, a lot of people don’t have the word out really,” says Valerio.
Students feel overwhelmed by the tragedy and are finding ways to reach out to the community.
Meliza Guiao came to FSAY with charity ideas after feeling distraught by the events that took place to her home country.
“It’s been really devastating. I haven’t gotten the chance to focus on school and I’m hoping that my teachers give consideration for that because it’s been really stressful thinking about missing family members,” says Guiao. “Especially when you want to reach them and you can’t, you don’t know if they’re alive or have food or shelter.”
Typhoon Haiyan may have hit far from our homes here in Toronto, but the effects have hit close to the hearts of many students.
Julia Alfano
Contributor
