China Institute Raises Funds for Flood Victims

Cal State Northridge’s China Institute has raised more than $4,000 in donations to help flood victims in China, where record summer flooding has killed more than 3,000 people and affected some 240 million, institute officials said.

The institute, which launched its fund-raising effort by dedicating $1,000 from its own budget in mid-September, will continue to seek donations from the campus and neighboring communities through the end of the month, said Kwang-nan Chow, professor of mathematics at CSUN and an institute coordinator.

The China Institute is an on-campus organization that fosters academic and cultural exchanges between China and the university.

“We don’t have any specific goal, but so far we have received donations from $10 to as much as $1,000,” Chow said.

Fourteen million people were evacuated, more than 5 million homes were destroyed and another 12 million damaged during the flooding, heaviest from July to September, Chow said, citing the official toll.

“Even though we are tens and thousands of miles away from the people in China, I appreciate the fact that the people in this country are thinking about them by showing their support through donations,” Chow said. “The generosity of the people who donate money to the flood victims will be highly appreciated by the people in China.”

The money will be given to the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles in early November, Chow said. Receipts for income tax purposes are available upon request, he added.

Those wishing to make donations can call the institute at (818) 677-3939.