Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

Following Beijing’s worst flooding in 60 years, the Tzu Chi Foundation has mobilized a vast quantity of manpower and relief materials to help those affected. Volunteers held their first distribution on July 30 in Fangshan district, the worst hit area, with goods for 5,000 households. They included a letter from Master Cheng Yen.

Since July 21, Beijing has been hit by torrential rain, the heaviest in six decades. In response, the foundation organized a major logistical operation, by air, sea and land, to bring goods from Taiwan, Suzhou, Sichuan, Guangdong and other places in China. On July 28, it shipped 250 boxes of instant rice -- a total of 2.5 tons -- through various means of transport. The shipment started from Taiwan, via Xiamen, before arriving in Beijing. As they moved the goods, the volunteers sent their love to those affected by the floods.

The relief aid included 5,000 boxes each of bottled waters and instant rice from Ting Hsin International Group, 5,000 packs of daily necessities from RT-Mart, the 2.5 tones of Tzu Chi’s instant rice, 5,800 eco-blankets and 35,000 pieces of clothing. On Sunday July 29, their day off, over 100 volunteers and employees of RT-Mart gathered in a Beijing warehouse to store the packs of daily necessities.

The volunteers in Beijing concentrated their efforts in Fangshan district, the worst affected area; the flood waters there reached more than two meters. On July 24, they went to the disaster area to evaluate what items the residents needed most. By video, they reported to Master Cheng Yen in Hualien from a Tzu Chi disaster co-ordination center set up in the capital. She is most concerned by the plight of the residents.

On Monday July 30, the volunteers held their first distribution in Fangshan district, in three areas -- Zhangfang township, Qinglonghu township and Zhoukoudian township. They assisted a total of 5,000 families. They gave out a set of relief goods which included a letter of consolation from Dharma Master Cheng Yen, a booklet of Jing Si Aphorisms, bottled water, instant noodles, a bag of daily necessities -- toothbrush, toothpaste, washing towel and flash light -- instant rice, an eco-blanket and clothing. As they handed out the items, they expressed the concern of Master Cheng Yen and of all Tzu Chi members and the hope that everyone will be able to resume their normal life as soon as possible.