Emergency Disaster Relief

Emergency disaster relief aims at helping victims of natural disasters and family emergencies, allowing them to pass safely and peacefully through the hardships in their lives.

According to standard protocol, residents in a specific location report disasters to local Tzu Chi commissioners, who then gain a clear understanding of the situation before reporting it either to the headquarters in Hualien or to their local branch offices. Otherwise, involved persons report situations or solicit assistance from the headquarters or local branch offices; then social workers will decide whether or not to send commissioners to conduct an investigation into whether aid should be provided and what kind of assistance is needed.

Whenever emergencies or disasters occur, Tzu Chi people immediately go to the scene to provide immediate assistance.

Master Cheng Yen reminds Tzu Chi volunteers to always maintain the spirit of being "the first to arrive and the last to leave." That is to say that when disasters occur, commissioners rush immediately to the scene and begin mobilizing human resources to help, comfort and care for disaster victims. Also, after the disaster has passed, Tzu Chi's work must not end until follow-up and after-care has determined that the victims have become self-sufficient and are no longer suffering.