The world of Tzu Chi July 2020 (Vol.124)

2020 • 07 40 ocal News In the wake of the movement control order (MCO) that lasted for over two months and forced most business sectors to suspend operations, many migrant workers have become unemployed and are now struggling to make ends meet. Between May and June 2020, Tzu Chi Kuching had been receiving reports of migrant workers losing their livelihoods. Hence, local volunteers decided to extend assistance to migrant workers and their families in Bintulu, a 14-hour drive from Kuching. The volunteers prepared food supplies to be distributed to the migrant workers in portions rationed according to household size, in addition to disbursing monetary aid. One of the beneficiaries, Darna bin Tindi, remarked, “My children have been subsisting on plain porridge with soy sauce every day. We’re grateful to have received food supplies from the volunteers.” As of June 15, the volunteers had distributed essential supplies to more than 1,100 migrant workers and their families in Kuching and Bintulu, totalling 1,900 beneficiaries. Sarawak 2020.05–06 Reported by Tzu Chi Documenting Team Photograph courtesy of Tzu Chi Kuching Although Tzu Chi volunteers were unable to conduct in-person visits to care recipients during the MCO, the volunteers had been checking in on them through phone calls. Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare had delegated the task of following up on a number of distress calls to Tzu Chi Malacca after receiving requests for assistance from an overwhelming portion of the public. Tzu Chi had also collaborated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to offer assistance to refugees. The volunteers assessed the living conditions of prospective aid beneficiaries according to the name list provided by the UNHCR and distributed food supplies including rice, oil, biscuits and eggs accordingly. As of June 30, Tzu Chi had offered assistance to 4,662 individuals in the southern region. Timely Relief for Disadvantaged Groups Malacca 2020.05–06 Reported by Julie Yen Yu Chu Photograph by Ong Siew Hsien Offering Solace to Migrant Workers Translated by Translating Team