Last week the world witnessed a devastating event when Japan was hit not only by massive and powerful earthquakes, but also a by tsunami that created more damage.

Fresno State seems distant from the effects of this disaster, but some students at Fresno State could not be more hit by the disaster in Japan.

Katsuyo K. Howard, a counselor in the International Student Services and Programs department, communicates with all of the international students from Japan that attend school at Fresno State.

“Everybody I speak with is connected to a family in Japan and everybody is affected by the disaster,” Howard said. “We want to do something together, it is a common feeling.”

The ISSP department has reached out to all international students with concerns or questions regarding the events in Japan.

Gena Gechter, the coordinator in the Health and Psychological services of the health center, has been welcoming any students who may need to talk about the disaster in Japan.

Chris Fiorintino, director for the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, has also been working closely with Howard to coordinate relief efforts with the Japanese Red Cross.

“He is coordinating a lot of efforts to help and do volunteerism,” Gechter said. “He is working more on the side of students who are not from Japan and not necessarily affected personally, but they want to help.”

“I have been watching the news every morning and it makes me cry,” Howard, originally from Japan, said. “ [It takes] unbelievable work and calmness to deal with that.”

She could not emphasize enough the impact this has had on her, let alone on the country of Japan.

“The people show patriotism, to share limited resources with everyone,” Howard said. “The survival spirit, when everybody is hungry, cold, and tired. With these basic needs, still everybody is willing to share. It is amazing.”

Japan has felt the aftermath of the earthquakes and tsunami, but now another concern faces the country. The leaking of radiation from a plant could now be a larger issue on top of all that has hit the country already.

“People are willing to sacrifice themselves in suicide missions for other people to prevent these leaks,” Howard said.

As of now, websites are being used to directly connect with the Japanese Red Cross in an effort to help the many people affected by this disaster that affects more than just the country of Japan.

With the help of departments at Fresno State, students and faculty are hoping to have some form of a community event and ask for others to join in the efforts to help a country in need.