The world of Tzu Chi March-April 2022 (Vol.140)

2022 • 04 34 lobal News Translated by the Tzu Chi Translating Team Photo courtesy of Tzu Chi Taiwan Headquarters L ocated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes—it has already experienced two earthquakes in the first quarter of 2022 alone. The first, which jolted Pandeglang, Banten Province on January 14, damaged thousands of houses. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported. Nine Tzu Chi Jakarta volunteers travelled to the quake-hit area on January 16 to assess the situation. After determining the needs of the quake victims, the volunteer team and Tzu Chi staff prepared relief supplies, which included 1,000 kg of rice, 100 packages of daily necessities, 1,000 surgical masks, 30 boxes of drinking water, 100 canvas tarpaulins, 72 bottles of liver supplements, 150 plastic mats and 100 buckets. They arrived at the quake-hit area on January 19. Forty-seven-year-old Susan (an alias) was one of the aid recipients. After the earthquake, she and her family moved into a tent provided by the government behind their collapsed home. She hoped that they could Indonesia 02-03.2022 Tzu Chi’s Help Mobilization for Quake Victims start rebuilding soon as it was uncomfortable living in the tent. “It gets very cold when it rains, and the surroundings around the tent become very muddy,” she said. “After just a week, I ached all over.” She was touched, witnessing the volunteers distributing the relief supplies to the quake victims, and expressed, “Thanks to Allah, I hope everyone who is here to help will be blessed, and with good health.” On February 25, another earthquake rocked the Pasaman Barat district in West Sumatra. Seventeen lives were lost, 376 injured, and over a thousand houses damaged. With 16,000 victims awaiting aid, Tzu Chi volunteers delivered relief supplies in batches to the disaster areas, which included Talamau, Kajai, Talu, SimpangTigo and Guguang Jorong Siparayo Nagari Malampah, on February 26, 27 and March 3. A total of 1,100 kg of rice, 50 boxes of instant noodles, 5 boxes of biscuits, 14 boxes of milk, 250 boxes of baby milk powder, 200 bottles of eucalyptus oil, 200 packs of wet wipes, 300 packs of baby diapers, and other items were distributed. There were also bread, milk, blankets, sarongs and medicated oil contributed by kind donors. The assistance provided by the volunteers alleviated the plight of the victims, while the children beamed with happiness receiving snacks from the volunteers.