Volunteers from the Taiwan-headquartered global charity and humanitarian organization Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation were quick to respond after Typhoon Yagi caused severe flooding in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai Province late last year, distributing aid packages and assistance to displaced families.
Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Vietnam from the South China Sea in early September, sweeping across Southeast Asia. The storm front left a trail of destruction across China, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, killing in excess of 800 people, submerging millions of homes, and destroying infrastructure.
“Tzu Chi volunteers immediately assessed the situation in Lin Ko and Mae Sai Districts [in Chiang Rai], distributing 500 aid packages to meet urgent needs,” Tzu Chi explained. “Flooding rendered many villages inaccessible, prompting the Tzu Chi Thailand office to return on 4 October for a four-day survey of urban and rural areas. The detailed assessments paved the way for the next phase of aid distribution.”
Tzu Chi then distributed emergency funding to some 900 households in Mae Sai and in Chiang Rai City on 29–30 October.
“Taiwan Tzu Chi’s love and care brought blessing funds to our affected residents,” said Mae Sai’s acting mayor, Sitthisak Injaikham. “On behalf of Mae Sai, I thank Tzu Chi for their support, which has given our community strength and courage to rebuild.” (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Among those who received assistance from Tzu Chi’s volunteers, was the family of Surapha, who live in Mai Yao village.
“The flood destroyed her house and shop, leaving her in despair. The blessing fund offered by Tzu Chi became a lifeline,” Tzu Chi related. “Tearfully, [Surapha] said, ‘I am deeply grateful that Tzu Chi remembered us, listened to our voices, and extended a helping hand. This love and care are my greatest support in this difficult time.’” (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Tzu Chi also extended aid to Grandma Tip, who was in a shelter after losing her home.
“Volunteers provided blessing funds and emotional support, enabling her son to begin rebuilding their home,” said Tzu Chi. “Tip shared, ‘I just want to go home. . . .’ The assistance lightened their financial burden, secured her granddaughter’s education, and gave her family a renewed sense of stability.” (Tzu Chi Foundation)
The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Republic of China, more widely known as the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, was founded in Taiwan in 1966 by the Buddhist nun and Dharma teacher Master Cheng Yen. With a focus on “putting compassion into action,” the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is a UN-accredited NGO with some 10 million supporters and 432 offices worldwide across 51 countries, undertaking regular activities in the fields of humanitarian aid, medical care, education, and environmental sustainability.
As a global icon of socially engaged Buddhism, Master Cheng Yen has expressed a deeply held belief that all people are capable of manifesting the same great compassion as the Buddha. She has noted that true compassion is not simply feeling sympathy for the suffering of others, but is found in reaching out to relieve suffering with concrete action.
Master Cheng Yen is popularly known in Taiwan as one of the “Four Heavenly Kings” of Buddhism, the others being: Master Sheng Yen, founder of Dharma Drum Mountain; Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan; and Master Wei Chueh, founder of Chung Tai Shan. These four global Buddhist orders, correspondingly known as the “Four Great Mountains,” have grown to become among the most influential Chinese Buddhist organizations in the world.
See more
Tzu Chi Foundation
Tzu Chi USA
Turning the Tide: Rebuilding Lives in Flood-Stricken Chiang Rai (Tzu Chi Foundation)
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