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Money raised for quake victims

By Wang Hongyi (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-15 08:43

SHANGHAI - Japanese students at Fudan University in Shanghai have set up collections for the victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami in their homeland.

Related readings:  6.0-magnitude quake hits off Japan's Honshu  Millions of Japan survivors without water, power  Troops doubled for relief efforts, world rushes aid  China offers further relief for Japan: Chinese FM

A total of 454 Japanese students are studying at the university, among whom 33 are from the worst-hit areas.

On Monday, hundreds of teachers and students made donations, with nearly 10,000 yuan ($1522) being collected so far.

"I've already got in contact with my family. Today I went to the donation activity with five classmates, all Japanese, and we all want to get back home to help," said Chiba Akio, 24.

"Power and water supplies have resumed and everything is under control back in my hometown. Since the tsunami, psychological counseling has been offered to us by Fudan University, especially those from the worst-hit areas," said Fujimaki Satoru, 19.

Miyauchi Yusuke, 20, said: "Power and communications resumed on Sunday, but there are food shortages and the government is trying to maintain water supplies."

After the earthquake, Shanghai's universities began checking up on its Japanese students as well as the safety of their families. Psychological counseling courses were also given to these students.

Besides, universities were also contacting their Chinese students who were taking part in exchange programs in Japan to ensure their safety.

East China Normal University said on Monday that its students who were in Japan had all been contacted and were safe.

Officials from Donghua University said all of its 50 students in Japan had been contacted, and the university will keep in touch with them to ensure their safety.

Lu Shuyu, an official from Shanghai radiation environment supervision station, said it was closely monitoring the city's air quality and detecting radiation that may possibly spread from Japan. Lu said no abnormal changes had been found so far, and there was no need for residents to worry.