With your support, Tzu Chi Foundation was able to provide immediate support and assistance to disaster victims. The information belows comes from their press releases and data:

Specifically, 80,000 volunteers provided and delivered: • nearly 345,000 hot meals prepared by volunteers • 150,000 sets of eco-friendly bowls and utensils • over 40,000 boxes of instant rice/noodles • 60,000 relief kits • 8,000 sets of medical kits • 4,400 people with medical assistance • 40,000 eco-friendly blankets • 26,000 households with cash assistance, averaging NT$5,000 to NT$10,000 per household (US$152.00 to US$305.00)

Not only did the Tzu Chi volunteers face the challenge of having limited water supply during the cleanup, some of the traditional homes were not reachable by cars, since they were located inside very narrow alleys. These difficulties didn’t stop the volunteers, who lined up side by side to continue their cleanup efforts. For example, the furniture in an elderly lady’s home in a secluded and narrow alley was completely destroyed by the typhoon. Many volunteers worked together and cleared out all the damaged furniture one by one, and cleaned up the old lady’s kitchen and bedroom.

The mid-term plan of Tzu Chi is to provide subsidies for poor families and students. The long-term plan is to help poverty-stricken survivors and evacuees to rebuild their homes and provide long term financial assistance. Tzu Chi will also help to rebuild schools and provide tuition assistance, and continue to provide emotional and spiritual care to the affected residents.

Thanks for your support! We will be in touch with more progress soon.