The world of Tzu Chi March 2021 (Vol.132)

2021 • 03 42 By Ye Zi-hao Translated by Chai Eu Ern Photographs courtesy of Tzu Chi Taiwan lobal Presence W ith a population exceeding 1.3 billion, India recorded more than 8 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 by November 10, 2020—the second-highest number of cases in the world. To combat the pandemic, the country has racked up immeasurable social costs. Lockdowns were imposed, halting work and shutting stores. This left hundreds Cooperation Across Religions – Sending Aid to India When Father Giuseppe Didone of Yilan County sought assistance on behalf of Italy, the people of Taiwan responded with vigour. In turn, the priest’s religious order, the Camillians, provided pathways for Tzu Chi to reach out to those affected by the pandemic in India. of millions of people unemployed and in dire need of help. Tzu Chi volunteers from Taiwan and other nations have been unable to travel due to border controls, so they cooperated with various organizations—including the Roman Catholic Camillians, the Missionaries of Charity and two Tibetan Buddhist monasteries—to distribute relief supplies to Through the Tzu Chi-United Nations team, the Vincentian Family of India asked for help for its hospitals, clinics, sisterhoods and churches. Tzu Chi sought Indian Buddhist organizations to collaborate in implementing an emergency relief plan. The nuns of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul cooperated with local female volunteers, packing supplies to be sent to branch hospitals and Catholic hospitals.