You’ve seen the photos. You’ve heard the numbers. You are baffled by the scope of loss. Now it’s time for you to help.

Over two weeks ago, on Dec. 26, tsunami waves crashed the shorelines of several Asian countries, causing more death and destruction than this college generation has ever seen.

In American newspaper terms, this story is losing its sensationalism. Since the event happened more than halfway around the world, it is easy for Americans to distance themselves from the tragedy.

But all Americans need to step up, in the biggest way the can. Here’s how you can help without leaving campus.

The Office of Government Relations and Community Affairs along with students have teamed up to develop the Northeastern Tsunami Relief Fund, which has set up designated spots all around campus where students, professors or anyone else can contribute money. This money will be donated to tsunami victims through international relief organizations such as UNICEF, the Red Cross and the Royal Thai Embassy Relief Fund.

This is not September 11 and most of you do not know anyone effected by this tragedy. But hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives, and millions more face a future filled with disease and homelessness. Their plight appeals to everyone.

In the past year, several unfortunate and tragic events have called students to come together as a Notheastern “community” to make a difference. Many students have put in time and effort on campus and in the surrounding communities in an effort to show what most college kids are really made of.

This is the real test. For the first time, the tragedy is not really about us. It didn’t happen on Symphony Road or around Fenway Park. It probably doesn’t affect you in any direct way — which is why it’s the perfect time to do what you are capable of doing.

Northeastern students need to come together and prove once and for all that our moral fiber consists of more than beer and we can efficiently organize to do more than just flip a car. This time, without a feeling of obligation or punishment for your own actions, you can truly make a difference to the people that need it most. And you can choose to do it on your own.

We, as college students and members of the Northeastern community, have the opportunity to become a part of something that stretches much farther than Huntington Avenue.