The world of Tzu Chi May 2020 (Vol.122)

TZU CHI 122 43 Reported by Tzu Chi Documenting Team Translated by Translating Team Photograph provided by Tzu Chi Taiwan Headquarters I n view of the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tzu Chi commemorated its 54th anniversary online on April 16, 2020 with a live video conferencing session that had garnered more than 39,000 views from 50 countries and regions as of 3:00 p.m. Tzu Chi volunteers from various parts of the world presented reports on the Covid-19 response efforts conducted in their respective locales, complemented by simultaneous interpretation and real- time translations in seven languages, including Mandarin Chinese, English, Japanese, Burmese, Thai, Bahasa Indonesia and Vietnamese. During the live telecast, Liu Jia-yun, a staff member of Tzu Chi’s Department of Religious Affairs, emphasized that the organization will continue to organize its annual events, but on online platforms. On the other hand, New York-based volunteer Wu Hui-zhen shared the ordeal of her friend who works at a hospital and had developed mild Covid-19 symptoms due to the shortage of protective equipment for frontline medics. Tzu Chi USA volunteers have been dealing with an escalating number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country, rising by the thousands every day. The volunteers are intensifying Covid-19 response efforts by distributing protective equipment to 200 hospitals, as well as the police force, fire and rescue personnel and the homeless. Volunteers from other countries such as Jordan, Mozambique, Saint Martin and Malaysia also shared updates on their respective Covid-19 response efforts. According to the CEO of Tzu Chi’s Mission of Charity, Yen Po-wen, the organization has initiated a programme to extend care and aid to 50,000 underprivileged households, in addition to accepting applications from the public identifying families whose source of income has been adversely affected by the pandemic, to whom assistance will be provided. Master ChengYen expressed her gratitude to volunteers around the world for their dedication to Covid-19 response efforts, not forgetting to remind everyone to take care of themselves while offering assistance to others and to practise due vigilance. The Master also called upon all to be thankful for the times of peace we have been afforded, as well as to continue offering sincere prayers and promoting vegetarianism for the well-being of the global community. Taiwan 2020.04.16 Transcending Geographical and Linguistic Borders to Spread Positivity lobal News