Taiwan-headquartered global charity and humanitarian organization the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation reported that its disaster response following the major earthquake that hit Taiwan's east coast last week was activated within minutes after the disaster, with volunteers coordinating their activities with frontline responders and deploying humanitarian relief. help in affected areas.
A magnitude 7,4 earthquake struck on April 3 at 7:58 a.m. Taiwan time, with the epicenter located about 18 kilometers from the east coast city of Hualien. Although it was described as the most powerful earthquake in Taiwan since the deadly Jiji quake in 1999, reported casualties were limited, with at least 16 people killed and 1 injured. At least 145 buildings and 870 roads and tunnels were damaged by the earthquake.
“The Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation, whose global headquarters is in (Hualien) City, immediately activated its disaster relief response at 8:22 a.m.,” the foundation noted. “At the same time, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital activated its (own) emergency response protocol. » (Tzu Chi United States)
The foundation observed that Tzu Chi collaborated in various disaster relief efforts to provide relief to people in affected areas. Volunteers quickly prepared relief supplies, including eco-friendly blankets, temporary beds and shelter partitions, tents, drinking water, energy drinks, hot meals and emergency financial assistance.
Although the Jing Si Abode campus of Tzu Chi headquarters was hit by the earthquake, with some damage, staff and residents were not injured.
“As everyone works together to help, Master Cheng Yen also calls on us to pray for those affected as they begin the long road to full recovery from this disaster,” Tzu Chi added. (Tzu Chi United States)
Tzu Chi quickly set up a seismic disaster response center outside the main hall of the Jing Si Mansion, noting that Dharma Master Cheng Yen, founder of Tzu Chi, had taken charge of the relief mission, for the purpose of assessing the situation and instructing volunteers on disaster relief efforts. .
“Master Cheng Yen personally supervised the establishment of the Earthquake Disaster Response Center,” Tzi Chi noted. “In addition, she made a special visit to the areas of the city damaged by the earthquake that afternoon to express her gratitude and concern to those on the front lines of relief efforts, such as the police , firefighters, rescue workers, Tzu Chi volunteers, Fo Guang members. Shan (another Taiwanese Buddhist organization) and other NGO groups. She also blessed the firefighters who urgently mobilized after the earthquake and the frontline search and rescue teams who worked so hard and urged everyone to pay attention to safety. (Tzu Chi United States)
Meanwhile, Tzu Chi USA announced a fundraiser including a matching fund of US$500. All the details here.
In the days following the earthquake, Tzu Chi volunteers continued their work, preparing and delivering hot meals, beds, partitions and blankets to survivors, and also ensuring that rescuers received food as well. hot during their work.
“Tzu Chi volunteers continued to actively engage in post-disaster relief efforts,” the foundation reported. “In addition to responding to the immediate needs of survivors in the Hualien urban area, Tzu Chi volunteers in northern Taiwan have also mobilized to help other severely affected communities. Working with police and firefighters, they provided equipment for airdrops, allowing rescue teams to distribute essential items to people still stuck in mountainous areas, easing food shortages. (Tzu Chi Foundation)
The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Republic of China, commonly known as the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, was founded in Taiwan in 1966 by Buddhist nun and Dharma teacher Master Cheng Yen. Aiming to "put 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 humanitarian aid, medical care, education, and environmental sustainability.
As a global icon of socially engaged Buddhism, Master Cheng Yen expressed his 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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Distribution of emergency funds and assistance for mountain airdrops (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Finding calm and comfort after the earthquake (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Tzu Chi Activates Disaster Relief Response in Taiwan (Tzu Chi USA)
How Taiwan's earthquake response puts Tzu Chi's disaster relief expertise center stage (Tzu Chi USA)
Tzu Chi Foundation
Tzu Chi United States
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The article Engaged Buddhism: Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation provides aid after eastern Taiwan earthquake appeared first on Buddhadoor Global.
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