Typhoon Haiyan hit the coast of the Philippines on November 2, making it the strongest typhoon to make landfall in recorded history. Bringing with it unimaginable torrential downpours and winds of up to 195 miles per hour, this Category-5 typhoon has caused 4,015 deaths and has affected over 11 million people. Whole cities and towns have been completely wiped out. The horrific images that we are presently seeing in media call to mind the painful and firsthand memories from Hurricane Sandy, which struck the East Coast a little over a year ago.

The relief effort that came from our community after Sandy was truly heartwarming. With most of the surrounding area out of power, the school became a hub of students, parents, siblings, and grandparents. Just a few days after the storm hit, the Academy opened its doors offering heat, power, and Wi-Fi. As soon as school started again, the community was able to produce a substantial amount of supplies for the organization, Jersey Strong; even given the debilitating circumstances at most students’ homes. It was remarkable to see the community regroup and be there not only for each other, but also for the surrounding larger community.

A similar relief effort was almost instantaneous after Typhoon Haiyan. Students and faculty alike were eager to collect supplies and funds to aid in any way possible. The Editorial Board commends these actions, as they are truly telling of our giving community.  Even though it made landfall over 8,000 miles away, Typhoon Haiyan has left a poignant mark here in Livingston, New Jersey.

In recent years Newark Academy has been dubbed the “global academy” as a result of initiatives such as the Global Speaker Series, the immersion requirement, or more recently the World News Minute. Yet this seemingly ambiguous phrase didn’t resonate with us until we saw the altruism that Typhoon Haiyan fostered. Unlike Sandy, this storm did not hit our backyard or perhaps didn’t affect anyone we knew. Yet the fervor with which our school was ready to help in any capacity, whether it was simply bringing in a towel or buying an old FOP tee shirt, is commendable and indicative of a truly globally aware student and faculty body.

The Editorial Board would like to use this outpouring of relief, in an effort to highlight the importance of remaining globally mindful. So, we encourage everyone to check out the newest set because it our goal as a paper to keep the community informed not only about local issues, but also global ones pertinent to us.

Even though the media stopped covering Sandy months ago, we have seen its lasting affects over a year later directly. Thousands still have no homes and the communities are still being rebuilt. The Editorial Board urges the community to keep the Typhoon relief effort going, long after media outlets have moved onto another story.

If you are looking for ways to contribute the World Food Programme, Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and a plethora of other organizations are collecting funds in an effort to deliver much needed aid.