Local Tzu Chi volunteers carry out a relief distribution in Ormoc, Leyte province. Survivors received blankets, clothing, rice and other daily necessities. (Provided by Tzu Chi Foundation (Taiwan))
On 8 November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan lashed across central Philippines, leaving a wide swath of serious devastation behind. Three days later, the Philippines government announced that the country was in a phase of emergency. As at 23 November 2013, 5,235 people were reported dead and 1,613 missing. Close to 7 million were left homeless and the progress of relief efforts were slow.
The Tzu Chi Foundation in Taiwan immediately activated its international disaster relief efforts upon learning of the enormity of the disaster and on 11 November 2013, the “Typhoon Haiyan coordination centre”was setup to oversee the delivery of 200,000 packets of instant rice and 30,000 eco-blankets. The first cargo of relief goods was delivered to the Philippines with the help of military airplanes a day after.
As of now, Tzu Chi is focusing its relief efforts on the hard-hit areas of Ormoc and Tacloban in Leyte province. In particular, resources are being deployed towards the distribution of relief goods and emergency funds, the provision of free medical services, as well as towards the cash-for-work relief programme, where survivors are paid to clean up the wreckage and debris in their communities. The ranks of volunteers not only include the locals; many volunteers also came from Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the United States to lend a hand.
Restoring Lives With Cash-for-Work Programme
“I’m 59 this year and have lived in the Philippines all my life. I’ve never seen such destruction before and my heart aches!” CEO of the Tzu Chi Philippines branch, Li Wei Song says as he chokes back tears during an interview by Singapore’s Capital 95.8FM radio station on 18 November 2013.
Li is currently providing relief assistance at the front lines of the disaster zone, and he says that although many relief materials have already reached Philippine soil, distribution efforts are hampered by road inaccessibility and the fact that government officials themselves, are also victims of the catastrophe. With 19 years of disaster relief experience in the Philippines behind them, Tzu Chi volunteers are able to rely on their own system and channels to deliver relief goods directly into the hands of survivors.
Over the last few days, international humanitarian aid organisations have been assisting the Philippine government in the removal of dead bodies from the affected areas, and the presence of the military can also be seen as they start rendering the much-needed help. Li says that Tzu Chi will be employing the cash-for-work relief programme which is in line with the government’s wish to have the living conditions of survivors restored as soon as possible.
The cash-for-work relief programme is a unique feature of Tzu Chi’s disaster recovery efforts and the Philippines branch had also employed this programme to clean up the community in the aftermath of 2009’s Typhoon Ketsana. Survivors help to clear away the debris and wreckage in their own communities while receiving a daily wage for their efforts. With the money, they are then able to buy daily necessities and food for themselves.
When Master Cheng Yen spoke about the disaster recovery efforts, she was heartened to note that by the third day, more than 6,000 people had signed up for the programme. By paying them to clean up their own communities, they are kept busy and given hope for the future.
Love Comes From All Corners of the World
Hearing of the disaster, Tzu Chi volunteers from all over the world embarked on a joint effort to raise funds for the victims. At current count, Tzu Chi volunteers and staff from 29 branches across the world have responded to the initiative, while at the same time offering their sincere prayers that the typhoon survivors will be able to rebuild their lives quickly.
Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) held an emergency meeting on the afternoon of 15 November 2013 to discuss how best to help in the recovery efforts, even as a request for a fund raising permit was put up to the relevant authorities. When the permit was approved on 25 November 2013, the branch immediately launched the “Help Typhoon Haiyan Survivors” fund-raising campaign. The permit will expire on 26 December 2013 and during this period, the branch will accept both cash and cheque donations from the public.
While awaiting the green light from the authorities, the telephone at Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) rang non-stop. Members of the public were anxious to know when it could start accepting donations. Volunteers came to know that many were concerned over the devastation suffered by the Philippines, while yet others already had a sum of money set aside for donation.
In the midst of this outpouring of love, volunteers and staff of the Singapore branch also prayed for peace to return to the devastated areas, and some decided to return their bamboo coin banks early in the hope of benefitting the typhoon survivors. CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) Low Swee Seh expressed how touching it was to see the compassion in the hearts of the people of Singapore.
The four verses of great repentance tell us :
In times of crisis, we must recognize right from wrong
In times of great calamities, we must bring forth great compassion
In times of great blindness and ignorance, we need to exercise great wisdom
In times of great turmoil and unrest, we must deeply reflect and repent
In the face of great calamities, apart from repenting for our transgressions, Master Cheng Yen exhorts everyone to waste no time in adopting a vegetarian diet and to uphold the precepts of right conduct. In so doing, we can protect the earth and lessen the occurrences of such large scale disasters.
At present, the Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) is in the midst of lively preparations leading up to the “Dharma as Water” stage adaptation which will be presented during Tzu Chi’s Year-End Blessing Ceremony. Yet, the victims of the Philippine disaster have not been forgotten; apart from collecting donations for survivors, volunteers take the opportunity to keep them in their prayers as they go about the various Tzu Chi activities.
We appeal to everyone to pray for those whose lives have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan. If you would like to make a donation from your heart, you may do so by cheque or by making a cash donation in person at the Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore). Alternatively, you may wish to put your contribution into the donation box when you attend the “Dharma as Water” stage adaptation at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 14 and 15 December 2013.
All cheque donations should be made in favour of “Tzu Chi Foundation.”Please indicate “Philippines Relief 2013”at the back of your cheque.
You may contact us at :
Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation（Singapore）
9, Elias Road, Singapore 519937.
Tel: +65-65829958
For more details of the “Help Typhoon Haiyan Survivors” fund-raising campaign, please access :
http://relief.tzuchi.org.sg/index.htm
When Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines, it decimated communities and caused vast destruction. Here, Tacloban, in Leyte province, is pictured in the aftermath. (Provided by Tzu Chi Foundation (Taiwan))
Tzu Chi volunteers head for the hard-hit areas in Leyte province, where through Tzu Chi’s cash-for-work relief programme, they lead the locals in clearing the streets and living environment of the debris and destruction left behind by Typhoon Haiyan. (Provided by Tzu Chi Foundation (Taiwan))
Volunteers and staff of Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) pray sincerely for the people of Philippines who have been affected by the typhoon disaster. (Photo by Ong Soh Chin)
Volunteers and staff of Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) decided to return their bamboo coin banks early so that their contribution of love can benefit the survivors of the disaster. (Photo by Ong Soh Chin)
With the unthinkable suffering caused by Typhoon Haiyan in central Philippines, Tzu Chi Singapore hoped to encourage an outpouring of love for the victims, bringing comfort and aid to those affected. (Photo by Yong Keah Pei)
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