[media-credit name=’Associated Press’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]All 25 University of Wisconsin students studying abroad in the areas hit by the Dec. 26 tsunami in the Indian Ocean have been contacted by school officials and are safe. However, UW officials are still waiting to hear from about 700 other UW students who are originally from the area and may have been traveling in the region during winter break. Nearly 900 current students and more than 2,300 UW alumni hail from the region.

UW student organizations and staff members are working to aid all of the students affected by the tsunami disaster by monitoring the situation closely and contacting students studying abroad or those who may have been traveling in the area.

The International Student Services office sent out e-mails to the 700 students, but have only heard back from a few, according to Pap Sarr, director of International Student Services.

Associate Dean of Students Lori Berquam said the small number of students returning e-mails to the university may be due to limited access to e-mail and telephones because of long lines. Students would be more likely to contact their family and friends before attempting to contact the university.

“The lines for communication are limited, and contacting UW may not be [students’] highest priority,” Berquam said.

Sarr said it is impossible to tell how many students are in need of help from the UW until school resumes, and he can only assume the students are safe.

“We will do anything we can to help the students that are affected,” Sarr said. “We are ready.”

Students who have been affected by the disaster will not be adversely affected academically or financially, according to Sarr. ISS is exploring methods to guarantee these students will not be penalized with fees for late tuition, late enrollment or cancellation of classes.

Following the disaster, Chancellor John Wiley posted a response on the UW website urging students to aid their peers and other victims of the tsunami.

“This humanitarian crisis calls for an historic, international outpouring of donations to sustain relief efforts and combat rising health concerns in the region,” Wiley wrote. “I encourage students, faculty and staff to consider making a donation.”

Berquam said there will most likely be a large response from UW students once they return to school.

The Madison community has already responded, and local musicians are planning “Wave Aid,” a concert with a $5 admission fee that will go toward the American Red Cross’s efforts in Southeast Asia.

“[A] tragedy of this nature has affected students,” Berquam said. “There are systems in place where students can volunteer.”

UW sophomore Indrani Banerjee, a member of UW’s Indian Student Organization, said she has only received an e-mail about possibly aiding victims affected by the tsunami. She said fund-raising would most likely begin once classes resume and more students are on campus.

“I haven’t heard from UW, which is surprising, but I guess everything will pick up once school starts,” Banerjee said.

According to Sarr, there will be an event hosted by ISS Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Red Gym for the leaders of student organizations and members of the Madison community interested in aiding victims of the tsunami disaster. UW has also set up a website to offer updates and provide information on events and other ways to aid the region.