Update: Relief Work of Taiwan Tzu Chi
Foundation in Pakistan
On the 8th of October 2005
a major earthquake struck Southern Asia. According to Islamabad
officials, the 7.6-magnitude temblor claimed more than 73,000
lives in Pakistan. In addition, 70,000 were injured and three
million left homeless.
Upon hearing the news, Taiwan Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu
Chi Foundation (Tzu Chi) sent medical-relief team immediately.
To date, 2,340 patients have received emergency medical care
in Phagwan, Naushehra, Khanda Ballia, and Longabula. In total,
12,676 blankets, 6,400 kg of rice, 1,334 tents, 1,000 sleeping
bags, 960 kg of bean, 960 liters of oil and other food items
were distributed in the surrounding area of Muzaffarabad.
In addition to the emergency relief and medical service in
October 2005, Tzu Chi have dispatched another two relief teams
to Pakistan, on 27th January and 12th March respectively,
to distribute 3,049 sheets of zinc plates of which over 100
families benefited.
The Jordan Royal family, in recognition of Tzu Chi Foundation's
relief efforts, provided strong supports both in assisting
volunteers to gain entry to the disaster area and distributing
sleeping bags.
The second batch of 1,931 sheets of zinc plates was distributed
in Madani on the 12th and 13th March. The six members Tzu
Chi relief team distributed materials to 87 families, although
many without distribution coupon waited in silence as they
hope of possible extra sheet of blanket. The cruel reality
that many more had to endure the harsh living conditions deeply
sorrowed the volunteers.
On the 16th March, the relief team distributed food supplies
in Chattar Kalas tent area. The ceremony was begun by reading
an Islamic pray from the Koran and a letter from Dharma Master
Cheng Yen, both conveying deep sympathy and sincere blessing
to the survivors. 2,047 survivors in total benefited from
the distribution with 312 families receiving 20 kg of rice,
5 kg of sugar, 3 kg of bean, 1 kg of tea and 3 liters of oil
each.
Tzu Chi volunteers distributed the relief goods with their
own hands, and bowed before handing them over to survivors.
Many survivors were touched by the volunteers' warm gestures
and in turn provided assistance and became volunteers themselves
during the distribution. Through the positive cycle of inspiring
more to helping others, it is hoped that one day the survivors
can return to normal lives through both international assistances
as well as help from within the quake survivors.
Currently, Taiwan Tzu Chi foundation is evaluating a reconstruction
plan and seeking for possibilities to obtain lands to build
permanent houses for quake victims.
ReliefWeb
Link: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/KHII-6PM93H?OpenDocument&rc=3&cc=pak
