The world of Tzu Chi July-August 2022 (Vol.142)

TZU CHI 142 33 T he Russia-Ukraine war has caused more than five million Ukrainians stranded in Poland or other countries. Although Tzu Chi has not yet set up office in Ukraine and Poland, the Foundation managed to get its aid to the frontlines through cooperation with other international organizations. Volunteers from 12 countries/regions have also gathered in Poland for humanitarian relief work, while mid- and long-term aid programmes are being carried out. Volunteers also travelled to neighbouring countries to discuss ways to take care of the refugees’ physical and mental health with the partners. Meanwhile, O n July 5, the Sri Lankan Government declared bankruptcy. The financial crisis has led to shortages of gasoline, medicines and food in the country. Tzu Chi first set foot in Ongoing Support for Displaced Ukrainians Distributing Food to Over 1,000 Sri Lankan Households Poland I 06.2022 Sri Lanka I 06–09.07.2022 Tzu Chi is collaborating with IsraAID to provide psychosocial care at seven support centres in Moldova for Ukrainian children and mothers. the country in 2004, to provide relief aid to the victims of South Asia Tsunami. Now, there is a Tzu Chi office in the capital, Colombo. In response to this crisis, Hambantota volunteers first distributed relief supplies to 1,032 households of Tzu Chi school teachers and students, residents of Da Ai Villages, and Tzu Chi volunteers. As transportation was disrupted, volunteers who live far away could not get to the Tzu Chi office. Fortunately, 20 students and 10 teachers from Tzu Chi school volunteered for the distribution work. A care recipient, Y.B. Inoka Damayanthi, even walked for more than three hours to help out.