Tzu Chi Provides Assistance to Hurricane
Evacuees
The Taiwan Buddhist
Tzu Chi Foundation has begun providing emergency assistance
to Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Texas, as Tzu Chi members
across the world started to raise funds for the relief efforts.
Tzu Chi has committed US$4 million for
emergency help to the victims who have been evacuated from
New Orleans to Beaumont, Houston and Dallas.
On Sept. 4, the first day of Tzu Chi's
providing direct aid to the victims, 710 evacuees visited
the Tzu Chi relief office set up inside the refugee reception
center in Beaumont, which is about five hours by car from
New Orleans.
Tzu Chi members greeted the evacuees warmly,
as if they were family, not refugees. Each evacuee was given
a US$100 Wal-Mart shopping card, a 30-minute telephone card
and a letter from Dharma Master Cheng Yen, founder of Tzu
Chi.
In the letter, Master Cheng Yen expressed
heartfelt sympathy for their suffering. She said, "We
hope the aid that we give can also be a source of comfort
and support to you -- knowing that it contains the love and
good wishes of people around the world."
Telling the victims that "living on
this planet, we are all connected to one another," the
Master assured the victims that Tzu Chi will remain by their
side to help them overcome this disaster and rebuild their
lives.
Soon after the devastating hurricane struck
New Orleans and other Gulf Coast cities, Master Cheng Yen
urged Tzu Chi members across the world to launch a fundraising
drive. "Those who are safe should reach out to those
who are suffering," she said.
Tzu Chi has set up a relief coordination
office in Houston and has mobilized hundreds of volunteers
for the relief effort.
Tzu Chi is sending its volunteer doctors
affiliated with the Tzu Chi International Medical Association
(TIMA) to provide free medical services to the evacuees. Three
roving medical vehicles of the Los Angeles-based Tzu Chi Free
Clinic are ready to leave for Texas. Under consideration is
the plan to provide hot meals for evacuees in Dallas.
During the weekend, Tzu Chi members in
more than a dozen countries started to raise funds, including
the United States, Canada, Argentina, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Sri Lanka, the Philippines, France, Austria, Paraguay, and
Taiwan.
In Canada, Tzu Chi members in Vancouver
raised funds at the city's annual Taiwanese Culture Festival.
At the event, Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell officially proclaimed
Sept. 4 as "Tzu Chi Day" of the city.
Besides donating money, the mayor even
wore Tzu Chi's volunteer vest and carried a donation box to
solicit donations. The Tzu Chi members in Canada have so far
committed US$1 million for relief efforts.
related
link:http://www.reliefweb.int
