The relief fund established at University Park last week to help survivors of the Jan. 26 earthquake in the Gujarat region of India raised more than $14,000, said Kavitha Nellore (graduate-integrative bioscience), president of Penn State's chapter of AID.

The Association for India's Development (AID) established the fund so Penn State students could help earthquake victims by contributing to relief.

Nationwide, AID earned $185,000 for earthquake assistance.

"That's a lot of money," said Gauri-Shankar Guha (graduate-mineral economics). "A dozen odd schools donated to the cause."

Students and faculty had the opportunity to give money to the relief fund throughout last week.

Donation tables were set up at the HUB and at the gates on the corner of College Avenue and Allen Street. Those interested in donating also had the opportunity to mail checks directly to AID.

The period of donation activities ended with a concert on Saturday, Feb. 10.

"The concert alone earned $4,000," said Nellore. "We were very pleased with the whole response."

The concert featured performances by Ragga, a classical music group, and a group of Indian graduate students who performed traditional Indian songs. Traditional Indian cuisine was served at the event.

Members of AID are still deciding what specific cause the money will go toward.

"AID (the national organization) has already sent much immediate help and relief, so there's no need for it at this time," Nellore said.

Other students realized this information on a more personal level.

"I received an e-mail from a friend in India saying that sending relief right now is unnecessary," said Guha.

He went on to say that food is wasting away in the streets and that many relief products are not reaching the individuals that really need them.

"In some cases, cattle are eating the blankets that have been sent to survivors," Guha said.

Nellore said that the immediate need had been for shelter and housing, and that that had been essentially met by other, larger organizations.

"It's in a month that people will start requiring help," said Guha.

"We're still receiving and reviewing proposals," Nellore said, adding she would prefer that money raised go toward long-term relief.

"It's easier to get money in the first month after the disaster," said Nellore, "than afterward, when people have forgotten about it."

Students still wishing to make donations to the cause can do so at www.aidindia.org.