When Singapore is celebrating its 44th birthday on the National Day weekend, southern Taiwan was hit by the heaviest flooding in 50 years caused by Typhoon Morakot. Local Tzu Chi volunteers sprung into action almost immediately to deliver hot meals and relief materials to the stranded victims while volunteers around the world began planning for fundraising campaign to raise funds for reconstruction. On receiving the disaster relief project plan from its headquarter in Taiwan, Tzu Chi Singapore branch immediately arranged to submit an application to the authority for permit to solicit donations through street fundraising.

Brother David Liu demonstrating the reverence one should uphold while raising funds on the street.

Everyone put their palms together to pray for the victims prior the meeting.

Typhoon Morakot made its landing on Eastern Taiwan on August 7, bringing along heavy storm and rain that resulted in the worst flood in Southern Taiwan since 1959.  The storm dumped more than 2,500mm of rain on southern Taiwan in a single day, submerging numerous coastal and mountainous villages in provinces as Taitung, Pingtung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi, Nantou. Mudslides and landslides triggered by the typhoon have reportedly ruined countless infrastructures, roads, bridges, houses, and took the lives of approximately 500 people.

Master Cheng Yen, deeply saddened by the news of the disaster, urged all of her followers to do all they can to help restore the survivors’ lives and rebuild their homes.

In response, Tzu Chi volunteers residing in disaster areas have offered 170,000 hot meals (as at 10 August) to their affected communities. Tzu Chi volunteers continued relief efforts, providing relief kits as well as assistance through emergency cash assistance, medical care, and cleaning up homes.

Volunteers around the world have also responded to Master Cheng Yen’s call and began planning for street fundraising campaign to raise construction funds for the survivors. While waiting for the approval of the fundraising permit, the Singapore branch convened a meeting on the morning of August 15 where 44 community cadres were present to discuss on the relevant issues.

Armed with the experience of last year’s fundraising in aid of Sichuan’s Earthquake and Myanmar’s Cyclone victims, CEO Mr David Liu led the team in setting up a core committee for the execution of the project.  The various district leaders followed by identifying the areas and time slot for the street fundraising. The expected fundraising was then spread to the community volunteers through SMS after the meeting.

Meanwhile, the publicity team will start designing and producing posters and donation boxes, preparing ahead for the islandwide fundraising due on August 23 (if the permit application went well).

Eventful period for Singapore branch

August and September are certainly an eventful period for the Singapore branch. Apart from the mooncake production which had kicked off last week, the chapter will be holding three prayer meetings in conjunction with the auspicious seventh lunar month on 15 and 16 August, followed by a medical mission to Sri Lanka at the end of this month. There is also a mooncake charity sale and a mass charity fair coming up in September. However, these do not seem to dampen the volunteers’ wish to help the typhoon victims in Taiwan.

Brother Liu encouraged everyone, “Though we have several events on the run, I can see the unison of our team built through participation in the sharing sessions, trainings and activities. I am sure we can complete these projects!”

In her sermons, Master Cheng Yen encouraged those who are unharmed from the disaster to provide assistance, whether physical or financial, to help the affected families rebuild their homes. It is certainly our duty to be prudent and pious in times of tragedy, and pray with utmost sincerity for a peaceful world.

For updates on Tzu Chi’s relief for Typhoon Morakot survivors, go to www.us.tzuchi.org