
The U.S. chapter of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation, Tzu Chi USA, has launched a massive relief operation in response to the devastating wildfires around Los Angeles that have destroyed approximately 10 buildings and displaced more than 000 people, creating urgent humanitarian needs.
Drawing on its decades of experience in disaster relief around the world, Tzu Chi USA set up care centers in designated disaster areas to provide temporary shelter to displaced residents. Volunteers were also sent to three large shelters to distribute essential supplies, including blankets, clothing, food, and 10 N000 masks provided by a Taiwanese donor through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Los Angeles. Three boxes of goggles were also included in the donation, reflecting a collaborative effort between TECO and Tzu Chi USA to address immediate needs.
Debra Boudreaux, executive director of Tzu Chi USA, noted that the organization has set up a care center to meet the needs of area residents and has also reached out to a Los Angeles counseling center to offer help, recognizing that many area residents will suffer psychological trauma long after the fires are over.
More than 20 years ago, scholar Diana Eck described the United States as the most religiously diverse country in the world, adding:
We have vast Buddhist traditions, places like Los Angeles [is] now really the most complex Buddhist city in the entire world. We have Hindus who come not only from India, but from Trinidad and the Caribbean. We have Muslims who come from the Middle East, from India, from Pakistan, from Africa, from Indonesia. (PBS)
In Los Angeles, Asian Americans are the third largest racial group and also the most religiously diverse. In the wake of the fires, Asian Americans of all faith traditions are working to provide relief and recovery. Along with Buddhists from Tzu Chi USA, Hindus have also seen an outpouring of support from around the world.
“We’re getting donations from all over the world. It really shows the global impact that the city of Los Angeles has had, and people genuinely want to support this effort because of these dire circumstances,” said Mehul Patel, a volunteer at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, east of Los Angeles. (NBC News)

Tzu Chi, founded in Taiwan in 1966 by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, has built an international reputation for its compassionate and effective response to disasters. With a guiding philosophy of alleviating suffering with love, the organization has responded to crises such as the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the Haiti earthquake in 2010. In the United States, Tzu Chi USA has played a significant role in disaster recovery, including providing support after hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.
The collaboration with TECO in Los Angeles highlights the interconnected efforts of global and local organizations to respond to disasters. TECO Deputy Director Chen Ling-hsin stressed the importance of such partnerships to ensure that aid reaches those in need quickly. She also advised Taiwanese nationals traveling to California to remain vigilant and informed of updates related to the wildfires, emphasizing that air quality remains a major concern and protective measures such as masks are essential.
As California grapples with the immediate and long-term effects of the wildfires, Tzu Chi’s presence provides a beacon of hope and stability. The organization’s ability to mobilize resources, deploy volunteers, and provide compassionate care demonstrates its unique role in disaster recovery. Drawing on its global experience and deep commitment to service, Tzu Chi once again affirms its goal of “transforming feelings of helplessness and despair into hope and empowerment, and bringing out the good in people through the happiness they discover by helping others.” (Tzu Chi USA)
See more
Diana Eck (PBS)
From Baptist churches to Buddhist temples, religious groups volunteer for fire victims (NBC News)
TECO to help deliver supplies to fire victims (Taipei Timetable)
Taiwan to distribute essential supplies to Los Angeles wildfire victims (Focus Taiwan)
Our Mission (Tzu Chi USA)
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