The World Of Tzu Chi March 2025 (Vol.153)

2025 • 03 06 A t the end of January 2025, relentless downpours triggered severe flooding across Sarawak, inundating multiple districts. Many residents had no time to salvage their belongings before being forced to evacuate. In Bintulu, a rapid surge in Sungai Sebiew’s water levels caused it to overflow, affecting around 4,000 households, with floodwaters rising beyond the first floor of homes in some areas. Meanwhile, Miri experienced its worst flooding since 1981, leaving homes, shops, schools, and other buildings in the hardest- hit areas of Sibuti and Pujut Tanjung Batu submerged in muddy waters and devastation. As reports of the disaster emerged on the first day of the Lunar New Year (January 29), local Tzu Chi volunteers put aside their holiday celebrations and family reunions. Donning their uniforms, they rushed to evacuation centres to support affected residents and assess their needs. They promptly delivered much- needed relief supplies, including blankets, mattresses, fever patches for children, electric stoves, and hygiene kits. Each item was more than just a necessity – it was a reminder to those displaced that someone truly cared about them. Once the waters receded, volunteers waded through mud and debris to assess damages, offer care, and assist families in need with cleaning up. They also distributed hot meals, including 600 halal-certified food packs specially prepared for Muslim flood victims. Each meal, hand-delivered with care, offered not only nourishment but also warmth and love to those exhausted from the ordeal. Mobilising support: A united effort The disaster sparked an outpouring of compassion beyond Sarawak. Upon learning of the widespread devastation in Bintulu and the limited volunteer manpower available, 172 volunteers from Tzu Chi KL & Selangor signed up for the relief efforts within just a day, self-funding their flight tickets and accommodation. The Kelab Cabaran Pacuan 4 Roda Bintulu also lent their support, deploying 44 off-road vehicles to transport volunteers into hard-hit areas for resident registration. Meanwhile, in Miri, local Tzu Chi volunteers, alongside 15 experienced Tzu Chi KL & Selangor volunteers, some 50 members of the Miri Buddhist Society, and other kind- As rain poured and the cold set in, volunteers delivered 74 blankets to the evacuation centres to keep displaced residents warm. [Photo by Sandra Lim]