Despite being a weekday, more than 20 volunteer cadres showed up on time for the meeting on the morning of 15 Mar. (Photo by Chai Sie Kiat)
On 11 Mar at 2.46pm local time, a deadly earthquake struck offshore Japan, affecting northeastern prefectures including Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima and Ibaraki. Days later on 15 Mar, the US Geological Survey raised the magnitude of the earthquake to 9.0 from 8.9, stating that the energy released by the strongest tremor in Japan's history was equivalent to 25,000 nuclear bombs.
The quake triggered a 10-metre high tsunami which swept boats, automobiles and houses inland and destroying fields and villages like a massive moving wall of water. Based on media reports, over 3000 people have lost their lives, while more than 15,000 are still missing.
Tsunami warnings were issued to more than 20 Pacific countries following the megaquake, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Pacific Coast of the United States, Hawaii, Canada, Central and South America. Fortunately, the tsunamis did not create any major damages in these countries.
An hour after the earthquake, Tzu Chi global headquarters in Taiwan established an emergency coordination centre and, at around 5.40pm, managed to establish contact with the Tzu Chi chapter in Tokyo via video conference call.
The first batch of relief supplies which include 3.5 tons of instant rice, 1 ton of nuts and 5000 blankets were sent to Tokyo the following day (14 Mar) via the rescue task force deployed by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On 16 Mar, after assessing the situation and communicating with the community leaders of the coastal town of Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, Tzu Chi volunteers began distributing hot meals to 300 townsmen who were unable to cook due to power cuts and gas shortage. The volunteers will continue to provide the residents with two meals per day until the power is restored.
Master Cheng Yen, the founder of Tzu Chi Foundation, urged members around the world to response to the tragic disaster. Having received instruction from the Taiwan headquarters, Tzu Chi Singapore branch immediately made application to the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and National Council of Social Service (NCSS) for fundraising permits.
An emergency meeting was held on the morning of 15 Mar with 35 staffs and volunteer cadres present to discuss fundraising plans. The fundraising committee was finalized swiftly, thanks to previous fundraising experience following the Sichuan quake and Myanmar cyclone disasters in 2008, the Typhoon Morakot disaster in Taiwan in 2009, and Haiti quake in 2010.
Mr David Liu, CEO of Tzu Chi Singapore, reiterated the need to make public appeal besides raising funds and conducting prayers in Tzu Chi activities as Master Cheng Yen has been continually urging for "greater need for collective love in the face of great disasters".
Drawing on past experience, volunteers of the respective zones will soon be able to draw up schedules and locations of the islandwide "Help Japan with Love" fundraising campaign, which will start from 25 Mar to 24 April.
Those who wish to donate may also do so via any Tzu Chi volunteer holding the Foundation's donation pledge card or visit the branch at 9, Elias Road from Mondays to Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Cheque donations can be made payable to 'Tzu Chi Foundation' and sent to the branch at 9, Elias Road, Singapore 519937. Donors should indicate at the back of the cheque the following: Japan Relief 2011, the name of the donor, contact number and address.
The multiple crises facing Japan now – the earthquake tsunami aftermaths and nuclear threat – has been described by its Prime Minister Naoto Kan as "the toughest and the most difficult crisis for Japan in the 65 years after the end of World War II", with international nuclear experts still keeping a close eye on the country's possible nuclear meltdown.
Just three months into 2011 and international disasters have been occurring incessantly: floods in Australia, mudslides and landslides in Brazil and Bolivia, earthquakes in New Zealand and Yunnan, China, volcano eruption in the Philippines, and now, the largest earthquake and tsunami in the history of Japan.
With a heart heavy with grief and worry, Master Cheng Yen said to all her disciples and followers on 12 Mar morning: "Mother Earth is already overburdened and each disaster is a wake-up call showing the signs of her distress. All of us must truly awaken, reflect, and make changes in our lifestyles. At this time, we really need to pray for our world. I hope everyone will do this most sincerely by taking up the vegetarian fast and abstaining from meat to help mitigate global warming."
The Foundation will continue to amass prayers and love for Japan in all of its activities.
Dharma Master De Ge from Tzu Chi's Jing Si Abode was in Singapore to oversee the Singapore branch's missions. Master De Ge urged the Singapore volunteers to be vigilant in peace time, to repent their past wrongdoings, and work harder to push forward Tzu Chi's mind purification effort. (Photo by Tang Zou Cie)
The hearts of the volunteer cadres and staff went out to the quake victims when they sang to the new Prayer song which shows the catastrophe in Japan. (Photo by Chai Sie Kiat)
Starting from 12 Mar, volunteers and staff of the Singapore branch began praying concurrently with global Tzu Chi communities at 1.30pm daily. (Photo by Law Sook Fong)
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