Malaysia (Work diary: Dec. 26-28)
The Malaysia Chapter of
the Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation has mobilized 560
volunteers to help the tsunami victims
in Penang and Kedah between Dec. 26 and 28.
Many houses, gardens, and
public facilities in those areas were destroyed. The victims
stay in temporary shelters. As hygienic conditions there
are poor, many people have contracted skin disease. Most
of them are suffering from hypertension.
In the first three days
after the Dec. 26 tidal waves, Tzu Chi volunteers had provided
US$48,200 in emergency cash aid and US$21,400 worth of relief
materials (including daily necessities, mats, bean powder,
and instant noodles) to 1,023 families. They had also provided
hot meals to 2,270 people during this period.
In Kedah, doctors affiliated
with the Tzu Chi International Medical Association gave
medical care and consultations to 128 patients.
Besides continuing
to care for the victims in Penang and Kedah, the volunteers
will go to more remote areas to survey the situation. The
volunteers hope that they can help more victims to regain
hope and rebuild their homes as soon as possible.
