Introduction

In the spring of 1991, Tzu Chi took its first steps toward international relief work when it provided assistance in the aftermath of a major typhoon in Bangladesh. In the summer of the same year, a big scale relief effort for the flood victims in China was mobilized.  This marked a new milestone for Tzu Chi International Relief Mission. Up till August 2005, Tzu Chi has provided assistance to 60 countries worldwide with its notion of “respecting life”.  Crossing religious, race and national boundaries, Tzu Chi humanitarian effort in its International Relief Mission has responded to the destitute as far as they are able to provide and thus brought hope to the lives of the sufferings.

Services provided in countries faced with disaster include emergency medical assistance as well as long-term relief programme, which covers the construction of houses, school and seeking new source of water supply.  Free medical mission is also conducted for the victims.  Upholding its principal of “Direct, Priority and Respect”, Tzu Chi international relief mission aims at providing the most timely help to victims who are the hardest hit.

Distribution of relief supplies is placed directly in the hands of the victims with respect and gratitude. Tzu Chi also works hand in hand with other international NGOs in providing relief to the victims. In the course of its relief mission, Tzu Chi people carried out their relief mission with respect to the local culture and provide assistance to victims when help is most needed

Giving Love to the Turkish and Kosovian Victims

In 1999 and 2001 when earthquake shook the lands of Turkey, Taiwan and India devastating buildings and lives, members of Tzu Chi Singapore reacted by raising reconstruction funds for the disaster areas. Events such as Charity Fair, Fundraising Campaign and Charity Show were held correspondingly. The island-wide street fundraising campaign in 1999 in aid of the quake-hit communities in Turkey and Taiwan even made Tzu Chi the first organization ever to conduct massive fundraising for international disaster in Singapore that further spread the spirit of “Great Love Transcends All Boundaries” to the public.

Good Wishes from Singapore and Malaysia

On India’s Republic Day, January 26, 2001, a major earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale leveled hundreds of villages and killed almost 20,000 people in the province of Gujarat. Seeing how victims remained homeless months after the earthquake, Tzu Chi Taiwan promptly collaborated with CARE France under the India Gujarat Integrated Reconstruction Project and began the construction of 227 Great Love Houses in Kotda Village, one of the hardest hit areas in Anjar, Gujarat in November 2001.

Funding for Tzu Chi's efforts in the project primarily came from supporters living in Malaysia and Singapore, where thousands of Tzu Chi volunteers organized countless fundraising events starting mid 2001, raising US$1m for the reconstruction and rehabilitation program.

At the opening ceremony of the Houses in 23 October 2002, the Executive Director of Care France, Mr. Philippe Leveque, was filled with heartfelt emotion. He expressed that with him being a Catholic, this collaboration with Taiwan's Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation to aid Hindus and Muslims in India has been a deeply meaningful act of humanitarianism.

* A charity organization based out of Paris with 50 years of experience in India. CARE France specializes in emergency rescue, food/nutrition, HIV/AIDS, health/public health, shelter, training, water and sanitation, and women.

*A two-year partnership in long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction in Gujarat between the Indian government, Tzu Chi Foundation and CARE France.

Let Great Love Enter South Asia
Rebuild the Lives of Tsunami Survivors

On December 26, 2004, the fourth strongest earthquake over the past century struck in the Indian Ocean off the western coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Measuring 9.2 in magnitude, the earthquake triggered massive tsunamis that struck many countries in Southeast Asia and beyond, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and other 12 countries. 36 hours after the disaster, a disaster-evaluation team sent by Tzu Chi Taiwan flew to Hambantota, the south coast Sri Lankan town severely damaged by the tsunami to assess the situation first-hand. Volunteers in Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, USA, Canada and several other places were mobilized through 8 different batches into the disaster area to distribute relief materials, build tents, and to conduct free clinic and home visits, giving comfort and care to soothe the traumatized hearts of the survivors.

Like any other post-disaster situation, the path to reconstruction is one filled with obstacles and challenges. Members of Tzu Chi Singapore heeded for Master Cheng Yen’s call by carrying out the Great Love Enters South Asia Fundraising Campaign in February 2005, doing their best to turn compassion and empathy for the victims into action. In addition to material aid, the love and support from the Tzu Chi volunteers who traveled all the way to the disaster areas further inspired disaster victims to join in as volunteer to help their fellow people, thus creating a cycle of Great Love. The Tzu Chi medical station in Hambantota was converted into a Tzu Chi office and now serves as a control centre for the reconstruction work.

To help victims settle down, Tzu Chi initiated the construction of Great Love Village in the Hambantota region. In 10 April 2006, a total of 649 houses were turned over to their owners with a much celebrated opening ceremony. The second-phase of the construction project will consists of a secondary school, a community center, a daycare center, and a gathering hall.