Tzu Chi aid to hurricane victims in U.S.
exceeds US$4.4 million
The Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
has continued to provide assistance to hurricane survivors
in the United States. As of Nov. 20, 2005, Tzu Chi aid has
surpassed US$4.4 million, helping 23,394 families (over 62,000
people).
Most recently, from Nov. 17 to Nov 20,
Tzu Chi volunteers distributed US$830,400 to 4,107 families
in New Orleans and five Mississippi towns -- Waveland, Bay
St. Louis, Pass Christian, Long Beach, and Gulfport.
After Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf
Coast in late August, Tzu Chi volunteers began giving out
emergency relief to survivors in early September. This operation
has been extended to include victims of Hurricane Rita, which
damaged coastal Texas in late September.
Tzu Chi's assistance primarily took the
form of shopping cards, checks, and Tzu Chi banking cards.
Hurricane victims certified by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency qualified to receive the aid. Before distributing relief
goods to the victims, Tzu Chi volunteers, with the help of
local officials, visited the affected towns on Nov. 10 to
compile a list of recipients.
Relief data indicate that a total of 21,767
Katrina-affected families have received Tzu Chi aid as of
Nov. 20, included US$3.93 million in checks, banking cards
and shopping cards, 35,000 pounds of rice, 1,500 pounds of
ready-to-eat meals, 303 family medicine kits, and 37 sets
of mattress, sheets and blankets.
The aid to 1,627 Rita-affected families
included US$477,000 in checks, banking cards and shopping
cards, 300 mattresses, 283 sheets, 270 blankets, 200 power
generators and 1,152 cases of drinking water, 1,609 family
medicine kits, and school supplies for 300 students.
Tzu Chi has mobilized hundreds of volunteers
from over 50 chapters in the United States to join the relief
operationsThe assistance for hurricane survivors has been
given in 13 states -- Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, New York,
New Jersey, California, Nevada, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana,
Minnesota, Arizona, and Georgia.
Hurricane Katrina has caused more than
1,300 deaths and US$70-130 billion in damage. Government officials
have called it the most expensive natural disaster in U.S.
history.
Tzu Chi founder, Master Cheng Yen, launched
a fund-raising campaign in early September, urging Tzu Chi
members across the world to solicit support for relief efforts.
Tzu Chi members in nearly 30 countries helped raise funds.
The Nov. 18 distribution of US$228,100
in financial aid to 1,212 households (3,627 people) at Pass
Christian City's Gospel Singers of America was reported by
Mississippi's WLOX TV.
The report said all Tzu Chi volunteers
"pay their own travel and expenses to take part in the
outreach." Pass Christian Mayor Billy McDonald was quoted
as saying that "they're very diligent in what they're
doing. And we certainly do appreciate this."
Of the day's aid-recipients from Pass Christian,
Gulfport, Long Beach and neighboring towns, 60 percent were
white, 20 percent African American and 20 percent Asian American.
Sixty-three volunteers joined the day's distribution, including
12 AmeriCorps volunteers.
Tzu Chi, a humanitarian organization
established in eastern Taiwan in 1966, is continuing to assess
ways for helping hurricane victims. Pass Christian Mayor Billy
McDonald and his aides expressed hope that Tzu Chi can help
with rebuilding of schools. Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway hopes
Tzu Chi can help build a US$500,000 library for his city.
