A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the capital of Port-au-Prince Tuesday afternoon, devastating the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

In a CNN article, Haitian President Rene Preval said that, less than 48 hours following the quake, the death rate has been estimated at anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000.

“You have to see it to believe it,” Preval told CNN. “Lots of houses destroyed, hospitals, schools, personal homes – a lot of people in the street, dead.”

Representatives from the UCSD Community Law Project and the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship told the A.S. Council at last night’s meeting that they will spread awareness for the American Red Cross’ relief effort by tabling on Library Walk on Jan. 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Additionally, A.S. Campuswide Senator Wafa Ben-Hassine drafted a proposal asking the council to allocate $5,000 in funds to non-profit health organization Partner in Health.

The proposal was rejected after a check of the standing rules revealed that A.S. Council cannot use student fees and funding to donate to outside sources. The proposal was instead amended to read, “ASUCSD stands in solidarity with the victims of the earthquake and will support the student-led initiatives to benefit Haiti.” The resolution was approved by councilmembers.

The council then moved to allocate $370 — or the remainder of InterVarsity’s $400 annual student-organization operating fund — to support tabling efforts and provide funding for glowsticks at a Thursday night vigil outside Geisel.

Donations for the American Red Cross and the Wyclef Jean Organization are currently being accepted via text message. Those interested can text “HAITI” to 90999 — which will donate $10 to the Red Cross — or “YELE” to 501501, which will donate $5 for the Wyclef Jean Organization.

Readers can contact Kelsey Wong at [email protected].