Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Central Philippines on Nov. 8, causing intense damage across six islands and affecting approximately 11.8 million people.

In the wake of the storm, 4,460 people have died and 921,200 people have been displaced from their homes, according to a United Nations report from Nov. 14. City and provincial governments have been paralyzed due to extensive damage; hazardous materials and waste now reside in a wall of water two meters high, and damaged airports, debris-covered roads and power outages have made it difficult to deliver aid and supplies to those affected by the storm.

NYU announced a university-wide relief effort on Nov. 13, a project that extends across NYU’s global network. Student and faculty initiatives from NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York and NYU Shanghai have started projects in the past week to help victims of the typhoon. The United States and the UAE have also pledged donations of $20 million USD and 37 million AED, respectively.

Kimi Rodriguez, a junior from Manila, Philippines, said that the islands are no stranger to natural disasters. An average of over 20 typhoons a year hit the Philippines, she said, and the islands suffer more casualties from natural phenomena than any other country in the world. After learning about the extent of the destruction, Rodriguez joined three other Filipino students at NYUAD to brainstorm ideas to help the relief effort back home.

Rodriguez, alongside Filipino sophomore Geo Kamus, freshmen Patrick Wee and Moonie Sohn and a team of volunteers will be accepting monetary donations in the dining halls at Sama Tower and the Downtown Campus. Their goal is 15,000 AED, and they intend to wire the money directly to the Philippine Red Cross. Harana, an informal benefit concert featuring Filipino music, will take place on Nov. 17 in the Sama dining hall. The team also set up donations for clothing fit for tropical climates in floor lounges.

“I think the fact that we’re so far away, seeing all the relief efforts going on at home [prompted our response]. Feeling so far away really made us want to do something,” Rodriguez said.

As of Nov. 16, 4,537.20 AED has been raised. While they were initially planning to donate the money to the Philippine Red Cross, the students indicated that they were doing further research into which organization would make best use of the funds.

“We want to make sure it makes the most impact back home,” said Kamus.

In addition to student-led initiatives, NYUAD administration is also planning collaborations for an ongoing relief effort.

“NYU Abu Dhabi is also linking members of the university community with UAE-based relief agencies and fundraising events,” said Greg Bruno, director of public affairs at NYUAD. “Details of how to help and what items are needed can be found on the Student Portal and Faculty/Staff Intranet.”

For many at NYUAD, Typhoon Haiyan hits close to home. Alphe Camago, a staff member for NYU dining, is from Iloilo, Philippines, a province close to where Haiyan made landfall. His wife and three-year-old son are okay, he said, but their house is out of power. Camago is happy that countries and universities like NYU are helping but hopes to see aid in the long-term because full recovery will not come soon.

“All of [those affected] are jobless, or they’ll start at zero,” Camago said. “After a couple of years they will recover, but they need resources to have jobs so that they can survive.”

Back at Washington Square, relief efforts have been underway since the storm hit. Mariam Ehrari, chair of the Student Senators Council, Raghu Sundaram, chair of the Faculty Senators Council, Lynn Videka, chair of the Dean’s Council and David Vogelsang, chair of the Administrative Management Council, are spearheading the university-wide relief effort.

Ehrari coordinated an effort with the various student governance groups at NYUNY to organize a multi-faith vigil and concert to raise money for typhoon relief.

“It’s an all-university effort,” Ehrari said.

The concert will take place on Nov. 21 at the 850-seat Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at five U.S. dollars, and there will also be pins on sale and other ways to donate.

Ehrari said that donors would be able to decide between a list of nongovernmental organizations, including the Philippine Red Cross, Save The Children, World Vision and the United Nations World Food Programme. All proceeds from the event will go directly to organizations working on relief.

Miles away at NYUSH, relief efforts are in the planning stages. David Pe, associate director of student life, said campus administration is currently working with the New York and Abu Dhabi student governments on the next steps, like choosing organizations for an ongoing donation drive.

“The one idea that we've thrown out that seems viable and quick is a benefit concert inviting alumni and the general public,” Pe said. “As we know the relief will be ongoing, we're looking at what we can do throughout the next 6 months and beyond.”