Dubai: American University of Dubai (AUD) students and faculty raised almost Dh21,000 for victims of the earthquakes that struck southern Haiti in the last ten days.
Donation proceeds collected last week will go to the Clinton Foundation Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund and the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti.
"I know the money we have raised is just a small part of the generous donations coming in from around the world, but I believe it can make a difference in the lives of so many who have lost everything," Sareh Ameri-Mills, President of the AUD International Aid Association (AIA), said.
The AUD community came together with a sense of urgency and mobilised AIA members, students, staff and faculty to organise fund raising activities such as bake sales and donation jars that raised Dh12,000 and competitions such as "Dirham wars" making up Dh5,000 of the total sum raised.
Debate
Unaiza Goplani, Student Activities Coordinator, said there was a debate among students in AUD whether to send supplies such as canned foods, clothes and blankets or just money.
"We decided on money to be sent in instalments as it is raised because the most important thing is urgency. The people in Haiti need help today," Goplani said.
"University clubs are planning things for a week or month from now but what's important is that people need help as soon as possible."
