| On Dec. 26, 2004, the fourth strongest
earthquake over the past century struck in the Indian
Ocean off the western coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
Measuring 9.0 in magnitude, the earthquake was as destructive
as 16,000 atomic bombs combined and 256 times as powerful
as Taiwan's Sept. 21, 1999 earthquake.
The earthquake also triggered massive tsunamis that
struck 12 countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India,
Thailand, Burma, Malaysia and Somalia. The earthquake,
the tsunamis, and the resultant floods have killed tens
of thousands and destroyed entire villages and whole industries,
leaving over a million homeless.
The earth's surface is experiencing violent changes, the
tides are fluctuating, and the equilibrium of the earth's
ecosystem is in danger.
What is the lesson to be learnt from these catastrophic
disasters?
What can we do for the disaster survivors?
Though oceans separate the continents, all life on earth
is deeply interconnected, and humankind, especially, is
an interdependent and interconnected entity. We must therefore
recognize the suffering in South Asia as our very own
suffering, and feel the pain of the disaster victims as
our own, for we are one large family in this global village.
Let us extend our love to our fellow human being, that
with our helping and comforting hand, they may soon be
able to leave behind the nightmare of this disaster.
A benevolent thought, a thought of love;
A gesture of kindness, an act of compassion;
May the spirit of great love transform the scarred lands
and rebuild the lives of the disaster victims.
Let us put our love into action.
Tzu Chi strives to promptly give aid at the scene of
disaster and be there for survivors till the very end.
Tzu Chi volunteers are already in the disaster areas to
distribute aid, provide medicine and medical care, and
assess the long-term needs of survivors.
- Malaysia Tzu Chi volunteers promptly distributed relief
supplies and funds to victims in Penang and Kedah.
- Indonesia Tzu Chi volunteers delivered 12 tons of
food, medical supplies and relief supplies to one of
the worst affected areas of Indonesia – Aceh Province.
- Thailand Tzu Chi volunteers sent an emergency supply
of 2,000 body bags and 1,000 surgical gloves to Phuket
and Phang-Nga.
- A Tzu Chi volunteer in Phuket offered his golf course
as an emergency shelter for the victims.
- Taiwan Tzu Chi Headquarters sent its first medical
and relief team within three days to the heavily affected
areas in Sri Lanka, bringing substantial relief supplies
and two tons of medical supplies and medicine.
The reconstruction of the disaster areas will be a long-term
project of love. As human beings living under the same
sky on the same earth, we all need to embrace this mission
and join this relief effort with compassion and zeal.
Love is like a treasure.
Don't delay to let your love touch and comfort the disaster
victims.
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