México needs our help!

In less than one month, two devastating earthquakes have caused more than 350 deaths so far. In Mexico City, scores of buildings were levelled, and countless others were badly damaged, leaving many people injured and homeless. In the countryside, entire towns were practically razed to the ground.

There is extensive damage to homes, schools, offices, factories and infrastructure across Mexico City, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Morelos, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Tabasco. Unfortunately, this region includes some of the most impoverished areas in the country.

Moreover, these events are full of meaning as they ironically coincided with the 32nd Anniversary of Mexico City’s 1985 earthquake, leaving many homes and buildings reduced to rubble again.

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, but the task will soon shift to providing relief to survivors and those left homeless, as well as to rebuild the damage.

The US Geological Survey has estimated that the scale of the damages may be up to $10 billion US dollars (£7.3 billion pounds).

The United Kingdom is the second largest destination for Mexicans studying abroad. We have come to study and conduct world-leading research at the world's best universities and have developed deep and lasting friendships with our UK brothers and sisters.

Yet, it is so painful for us to watch as our homes, families and friends struggle, while we are so far away. Thus, Mexican students in the United Kingdom have joined efforts to launch a wide crowdfunding campaign that may provide some assistance from abroad. We now invite you, dear colleagues, friends, neighbours to help us #RaiseMexico.

Who are we helping?

#RaiseMexico is an initiative to raise funds and direct them to the greatest number of people, in a completely transparent way and as quickly as possible. We will support the organizations that have more reach, are most reliable and help the most affected and vulnerable communities.

A percentage of the donations will go to the Disaster Fund of the Mexican Red Cross. One of the most respected and widely established charitable organisations in the country. Moreover, we will also support local organizations that will support reconstruction efforts.

Organisers:

Thank you for your help donating and spreading the word!

#RiseMexico #FuerzaMéxico

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Facebook: RiseMexico_UK

Twitter: RiseMexico_UK

Sources of information: BBC, Channel 4, DW and El Pais

Click to see Deutsche Welle news coverage or BBC's

Scroll down to see more pictures of the earthquakes aftermath.