Japan, still reeling from last month’s earthquake and tsunami, was hit by another big earthquake today.

Even before it happened, two Northwestern University in Qatar students have been working to make sure people don’t forget that Japan needs the international community’s help.

This week, Rana Khaled and Shannon Farhoud have launched Bloom For Japan, a fundraising movement that also aims to lift the spirits of those recovering from last month’s – and today’s – events.

The two students, are currently based in Washington, DC, where residents and tourists enjoy the blooming of several gorgeous cherry blossoms trees every spring – trees gifted to the US by Japan in 1912.

Here’s how it works:

Bloom For Japan’s mission is to bring hope back to the people of Japan. With the Cherry Blossom’s in full bloom this spring, the people in Japan are struggling to recover from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeast coast and will not hold their annual celebrations.

Our aim is to raise $10,000 to send to an NGO working on the ground in Japan that is helping those in need. Through the Washington, D.C.-based KinderUSA, we will send donations to the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (Janic).

Together, let us show the people of Japan that their country will bloom once again. You can get involved by either donating directly through our website or by drawing something you would like the people in Japan to see.

This seems like a pretty novel way to get people involved. What do you guys think?