Volunteers for the Taiwan-headquartered global Buddhist charity and humanitarian organization Tzu Chi Charity Foundation delivered much-needed living essentials and compassion to communities whose lives have been disrupted by recent monsoon rains, which brought devastating floods and landslides to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.*
Populations across South, Southeast, and East Asia—including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam—have been grappling with the devastating impact of extreme weather, with tropical storms, heavy rains, and deadly floods in recent months.* In Indonesia, more than 3.3 million people were impacted by Cyclone Senyar in late November, with 1.1 million people displaced in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. At least 1,177 people have died, with 7,000 injured and another 148 reported missing. The damage and loss of life make this the worst natural disaster in Indonesia since the 2018 earthquake and tsunami killed more than 2,000 people in Sulawesi.
Tzi Chi volunteers traveled to Cot Gadong Village in Aceh Province on 2 December, overcoming accessibility difficulties posed by deep floodwaters and debris blocking transport links.
“Nighttime temperatures in the disaster zone were low, and mosquito infestations were rampant, causing considerable discomfort for many survivors in temporary shelters,” Tzu Chi reported. “Recognizing these immediate needs, volunteers specifically prepared tarpaulins and blankets. These items aimed to help residents ward off the cold and reduce mosquito bites, offering a measure of stability and comfort in a difficult environment.” (Tzu Chi)
Simultaneously, more volunteers reached Sugiharjo Village and Tanjung Sari Village in Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, where floodwaters had not yet receded.
“With floodwaters still reaching knee-deep, volunteers carefully carried boxes of supplies, wading through the murky water to deliver them directly to survivors’ homes,” Tzu Chi related. “Due to the difficult terrain, everyone moved slowly and cautiously, ensuring their safety and the integrity of the aid. Their determination ensured that care was not interrupted by the high waters.” (Tzu Chi)
“Juli, a 68-year-old survivor, was moved to tears upon seeing the volunteers wade through the water to deliver supplies and care. After being confined for nearly a week, she received bread and expressed her gratitude, saying, ‘I don’t know what to say. I also received help. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy.’” (Tzu Chi)
Amid the widespread destruction wrought by the storms and flooding, Tzi Chi highlighted how compassionate outreach was instrumental in bringing light into the lives of people living in extreme hardship. The determined volunteers were able to deliver essential aid and heartfelt care and support in times of extreme suffering.
“Beyond the distribution of supplies, volunteers offered warm embraces and heartfelt greetings, listening attentively to the survivors’ stories,” Tzi Chi emphasized. “ These moments of genuine connection conveyed a powerful message: even in remote areas, people were not alone, and there were those willing to cross distances to offer support. . . . These brief conversations and blessings offered more than just material provisions; they provided a sense of being cared for and accompanied.” (Tzu Chi)
The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Republic of China, more widely known as the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, was founded in Taiwan in 1966 by the Buddhist nun and Dharma teacher Master Cheng Yen. With a focus on “putting compassion into action,” the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is a UN-accredited NGO with some 10 million supporters and 432 offices worldwide across 51 countries, undertaking regular activities in the fields of humanitarian aid, medical care, education, and environmental sustainability.
As a global icon of socially engaged Buddhism, Master Cheng Yen has expressed a deeply held belief that all people are capable of manifesting the same great compassion as the Buddha. She has noted that true compassion is not simply feeling sympathy for the suffering of others, but is found in reaching out to relieve suffering with concrete action.
Master Cheng Yen is popularly known in Taiwan as one of the “Four Heavenly Kings” of Buddhism, the others being: Master Sheng Yen, founder of Dharma Drum Mountain; Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan; and Master Wei Chueh, founder of Chung Tai Shan. These four global Buddhist orders, correspondingly known as the “Four Great Mountains,” have grown to become among the most influential Chinese Buddhist organizations in the world.
* His Holiness the Dalai Lama Offers Prayers and Condolences for Victims of Deadly Storms Across Asia (BDG)
See more
Tzu Chi Foundation
Tzu Chi USA
Volunteers brave waters to deliver care to Sumatra (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Related news reports from BDG
Engaged Buddhism: Tzu Chi Volunteers Offer Free Dental Care for Displaced Gaza Families in Jordan
Engaged Buddhism: Tzu Chi Volunteers Bring Free Dental Care and Education to Vulnerable Communities in Jakarta
Engaged Buddhism: Tzu Chi Volunteers Hand Over New Homes for 171 Families in Mozambique
Engaged Buddhism: Tzu Chi Conducts Three-Day Free Clinic for Vulnerable Families in Rural Cambodia
Online Dharma: Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Offers Free e-Course: “Buddhism: Past, Present, and Future”
Related features from BDG
The Compassionate Relief of Tzu Chi – Inspiring Great Love in the United States and Around the World
