Tzu Chi's new year relief efforts in Iran
BARAVAT, Iran-The relief team
of Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation in Iran divided into
three teams for different facets of the relief mission - disaster
assessment, aid distribution, and provision of medical services.
The assessment team met with Red Crescent and local government
officials in Bam to discuss project planning and development
details for the reconstruction of houses and schools. Distribution
volunteers proceeded to Baravat to distribute blankets and
first aid kits. The medical team revisited a school where
they held free clinics the previous day to provide additional
medical treatment for quake survivors.
In the afternoon of January 1, distribution volunteers distributed
180 blankets and seven family-sized first aid kits in Baravat
via an ambulance and four-wheel drive vehicle provided by
the local military hospital. Volunteers personally handed
the blankets to each person with both hands and then bowed
with palms together, a gesture of respect in Chinese culture.
Quake survivors were deeply moved and returned the gesture
by kissing the hands of the volunteers and bringing it to
their foreheads, the highest form of respect and appreciation
in Muslim countries. One elderly man repeatedly kissed his
blankets after receiving them. These gestures touched the
volunteers' hearts; although the aid was modest, it gave them
a tremendous feeling of warmth in return.
The medical team revisited an encampment area near an abandoned
elementary school to continue with medical treatments from
the previous day. Volunteers demonstrated how to use the contents
of the first aid kits and let the patients practice using
it themselves. The medical team then entrusted them with the
charge of using this knowledge to help others as well. They
wished to instill a sense of responsibility in the patients
with the hope that it may help bring forth the strength to
rise above their suffering. Although at first puzzled with
the request to help others, the patients gradually came to
accept sharing the responsibility, transforming their role
as a victim to that of a helper.
When disaster arises, people lose everything and suffer greatly
both physically and mentally. It is the hope of Tzu Chi that
through the giving of aid with loving respect, survivors may
come to feel the warmth of humanity and find the hope and
strength to stand up from tragedy.
