Dunster Resident Organizes Effort To Help Earthquake Victims

A sophomore in Dunster House has started an effort to raise aid for Indian earthquake victims after being inspired by an article in Monday's New York Times.

After reading about Friday's Gujarat earthquake, which is estimated to have killed from 15,000 to 20,000 people, Rachel E. Taylor '03 sent e-mails to all Dunster House residents, as well as friends in some of the other Houses. She plans to donate any contributions she receives through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJJDC), which was mentioned in the article.

The Times article described doctors' failure to save an injured woman because they did not have adequate medical supplies.

"She had been trapped under her house, next to her husband who had been killed," Taylor said. "The only way to save her would be to amputate her leg."

Taylor said she was shocked that the only saw that the doctors had was too big to use for the operation and was covered with dried blood.

"Finally someone had a hunting knife, so they used that," Taylor said, "Reading this article, I was struck by how much need there is."

Taylor said she thought it would be more effective to e-mail friends rather than to donate money herself.

"I'd love to give $5 or $10, but I bet a lot of people would give up lattes for the week," Taylor said.

So far Taylor has received only three responses.

But she is not giving up.

"It's going to be a matter of reminding people," Taylor said.

Some students, however, like Taylor's roommate, are enthusiastic about her efforts.

"I've spent time in India and I've seen how much poverty there is," Nina E.Glass '03 said. "Giving a little bit can do a lot of good."

Taylor chose to donate through the AJJDC since it was the closest of the organizations listed in the Times article. The organization distributes aid on a non-sectarian basis.

So far Taylor appears to be the only individual on campus that has already begun to raise money, although some organization will soon follow suit.

The South Asian Association will begin fundraising following its first meeting of the semester tonight, according to its president, Avik Chatterjee '02. Chatterjee said he has already spoken with the Woodbridge Society and the International Relations Council about collaborating to raise money.

"Obviously the most aid is going to come from the World Bank and governments like the U.S.," Chatterjee said, "But every bit helps."

--Staff writer Anne K. Kofol can be reached at kofol@fas.harvard.edu.