Tzu Chi relief actions in Malaysia Flood
Malaysia was overwhelmed by one of the
worst flood in recent years in December 2006. According to
IFRC, nearly 100,000 people were displaced by the flood. To
date, Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu
Chi Foundation (Tzu Chi) Malaysia and Singapore have mobilized
over 4,200 volunteers and have helped around 46,000 flood
victims in four states and nine districts.
Tzu Chi relief actions started after the
heavy rain on 17th December resulted in evacuation in Johor
Bahru. Volunteers responded immediately and provided straw
mat, bottled water, instant noodle and other daily necessities
to the evacuees.
A Tzu Chi Malaysia Flood Coordination Centre
was set up in 20th December to coordinates the relief actions;
from the initial assessments, distributions, free clinics
to the cleaning up operations in various evacuation centres
and other areas.
Tzu Chi focused its relief operations in
the worst areas of Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca states.
Relief goods were carefully thought out to satisfy different
evacuees' needs accordingly. In total, 55 types of goods were
distributed. Some of these necessities included mosquito repellents,
candles, straw mats, blankets, rice, baby diaper, baby formulae,
torch as well as other personal hygiene items.
Table 1. Main items in Tzu Chi distribution
for Malaysia Flood victims
|
Items
|
Quantity
|
| Biscuits (boxes) |
11,654
|
| Blankets |
2,746
|
| Bottled water |
42,111
|
| Bread |
20,899
|
| Hot Meals (portions) |
25,096
|
In Malacca, hundreds of Tzu Chi volunteers
were mobilized to help residents cleaning up the aftermath
in the houses and schools. Many expressed their deep gratitude.
An elementary school principal who was Catholic considered
Tzu Chi volunteers' selfless actions as "heavenly-sent".
In the some residential area, locals were
stranded without electricity or supplies. In addition to food
rations and bottled water, Tzu Chi delivered hot meals door-to-door,
sometimes even twice a day.
Table 2. Tzu Chi distribution Recipients
in Malaysia Flood
|
States
|
Distircts
|
People
|
Family
|
|
Pahang
|
Rompin |
878
|
225
|
|
Johor
|
Kota Tinggi |
13345
|
1339
|
| Kluang |
204
|
68
|
| Segamat |
2817
|
57
|
| Muar |
4060
|
431
|
|
Negeri Sembilan
|
Tampin |
4750
|
329
|
|
Malacca
|
Jasin |
1165
|
81
|
| Alor Gajah |
1100
|
174
|
| Central Malacca |
17614
|
378
|
|
Total
|
45933
|
3082
|
In total, over 3,000 families benefited
from Tzu Chi Malaysia's relief efforts. In the process, countless
people were inspired by Tzu Chi Buddhist compassion and humanitarianism,
and took part in the relief operations. Tzu Chi volunteers
hope by inspiring more people to take part and become aware
of those less fortunates, the sufferings can be soothed as
the society becomes more harmonious.
ReliefWeb
Link: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/EVOD-6XAHHP?OpenDocument&rc=3
