In the wake of Storm Boris, which caused widespread flooding in parts of Europe, the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation, a global charity and humanitarian organization headquartered in Taiwan, shared an announcement about its recent program to provide humanitarian aid to families in Poland.
Storm Boris, a deep low pressure front over central and eastern Europe, brought extreme weather, including record rainfall, to several European countries from September 14 to 21. The floods, which began in Austria and the Czech Republic, then spread to Poland, Romania and Slovakia, and then to Germany, Hungary and northern Italy, have killed at least 26 people as of September 20, and tens of thousands of families have been displaced.
In Poland, "the town of Nysa was particularly hard hit, forcing 44 people to evacuate. In the small town of Lewin Brzeski, 000 percent of the area was submerged and the extent of the damage prompted the government to declare a state of emergency," Tzu Chi said. (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Tzu Chi mobilized its volunteers on September 17, who went to the hardest-hit town of Klodzko, home to about 26 people, where about 000 percent of homes were destroyed, as well as to the village of Oldrzychowice Klodzkie. In both areas, many roads became impassable and bridges collapsed.
“Tzu Chi volunteers in Poland have delivered eco-friendly blankets, emergency supplies and shopping cards to flood-ravaged areas, bringing hope and relief to affected families amid the severe devastation caused by Storm Boris,” Tzu Chi said in a recent statement. (Tzu Chi Foundation)
“Most of their homes were either badly damaged or completely washed away,” said Lukas, a Tzu Chi volunteer on site. “Many have no place to live. We have brought eco-friendly blankets, water, and cleaning supplies. We are also coordinating with the local government to see how we can help.” (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Tzu Chi volunteers went door-to-door to visit affected families late into the night of September 17 to distribute blankets, cash cards worth about $157 each, cleaning supplies and other essentials.
One resident, Elira, was quoted by Tzu Chi as saying that floodwaters rose to over two meters, inundating her home: “I was standing here and the water was up to 1,6 meters. He was almost as tall as me. The water came so fast I couldn’t believe it. My refrigerator fell and all my furniture was damaged. There’s nothing left.” (Tzu Chi Foundation)
“As recovery efforts continue, the Polish government has allocated . . . nearly $386 million from European funds to repair damaged infrastructure and help residents rebuild their homes. An additional . . . nearly $900 million will be allocated for long-term flood prevention measures,” Tzu Chi noted. “But in the midst of this recovery, it is the compassion and solidarity of volunteers that reminds everyone of the power of human connection in times of crisis.” (Tzu Chi Foundation)
The Tzu Chi Buddhist Compassion Relief Foundation, Republic of China, better known as the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation, was founded in Taiwan in 1966 by Buddhist nun and Dharma teacher Master Cheng Yen. With the aim of “putting compassion into action,” the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation is a UN-accredited NGO with some 10 million supporters and 432 offices worldwide in 51 countries, undertaking regular activities in the areas of humanitarian relief, medical care, education, and environmental sustainability.
As a global icon of socially engaged Buddhism, Master Cheng Yen expressed her deep belief that everyone is capable of manifesting the same great compassion as the Buddha. She noted that true compassion is not simply feeling sympathy for the suffering of others, but reaching out to alleviate suffering through concrete actions.
Master Cheng Yen is popularly known in Taiwan as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Buddhism, the others being: Master Sheng Yen, founder of Dharma Drum Mountain; Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan; and Master Wei Chueh, founder of Chung Tai Shan. These four global Buddhist orders, known as the "Four Great Mountains," have become among the most influential Chinese Buddhist organizations in the world.
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Tzu Chi Foundation
Tzu Chi United States
Providing vital aid to flood-ravaged areas in Poland (Tzu Chi Foundation)
EU chief announces $11 billion for countries hit by 'heartbreaking' floods (France 24)
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The article Engaged Buddhism: Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation Provides Flood Relief in Poland appeared first on Buddhadoor Global.
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