August 05, 2011
Less than 48 hours after the 2010 Haitian earthquake, Tulane University President Scott Cowen stressed the critical importance of urgent action by the Tulane community to reach out to Haiti and help its citizens in their time of need.
“As I watch and listen, the urge to do something immediately is almost overwhelming,” said President Cowen. “From conversations with disaster recovery experts at Tulane and elsewhere, I have been told repeatedly that donations of cash, including benefits to raise money, are the best way to extend a helping hand at this time.”
Almost immediately, a series of fund-raisers and relief efforts across campus were underway. Students at Tulane Law School, in particular, sold koozies as one of several endeavors to raise money for Haiti’s earthquake survivors. Organizers of the Hands Helping Haiti event learned Thursday (Aug. 4) how their efforts specifically aided recovery.
“With the support of the entire Tulane University community, the Tulane Law School student body raised enough money selling Hands Helping Haiti koozies to build a family latrine in Haiti, which will help stop the spread of disease in Haiti’s post-earthquake communities,” wrote 2011 law school graduate Stella Cziment. “We were also able to build a girls-only latrine for a school, to ensure that girls have the necessary and safe facilities to attend school in a developing country, and one childhood vaccination package. Thank you for your help in achieving this great goal!”
Senior university administrators are currently in discussion to determine how Tulane University can most effectively use its talent and experience to provide long-term assistance to the people of Haiti. Experts in disaster recovery management, mental health, health systems management and environmental health, as well as university health professionals, already are formulating plans and working with aid organizations to see how Tulane can assist Haiti as it begins the very long and difficult road to recovery.
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