Disaster Relief Principles

In carrying out its international disaster relief work, Tzu Chi adheres to five principles: directness, priority, respect, timeliness and practicality. These five principles are designed to achieve a high degree of efficiency for disaster relief activities.

Also, to avoid sensitive responses from local governments, the "three no" policy was added: no politics, no publicity, no religion.

There is only one purpose for the Tzu Chi disaster relief program: to help disaster victims recover peacefully and quickly. Therefore, the Tzu Chi disaster relief program also includes reconstruction efforts after immediate disaster relief.

Tzu Chi international relief volunteers are "the first to arrive, the last to leave." The safety of disaster relief workers is also a major concern for Master Cheng Yen.