The Taiwan-headquartered global Buddhist charity and humanitarian organization Tzu Chi Charity Foundation recently announced the launch of “Compassion in Action: Aid for Myanmar,” a US$1-million matching fund to bring much needed humanitarian relief to vulnerable communities in Myanmar suffering in the wake of the recent earthquake.
“After being struck by a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake [on 28 March] . . . Myanmar experienced widespread destruction, leaving countless families and communities in urgent need of assistance,” Tzu Chi USA stated. “Tzu Chi is dedicated and ready to bring relief and emotional support to the earthquake survivors as they will face tremendous challenges in rebuilding their lives from the rubble. In these times of crisis, Myanmar and its people need our care, our support, and our love more than ever. Until 30 April, we are matching donations up to US$1 million.” (Tzu Chi USA)
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, and a subsequent 6.4-magnitude tremor, was centered along the Sagaing fault line in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar, with its epicenter close to the nation’s second-largest city Mandalay (population 1.7 million). Since the quake, rescue and recovery efforts have been hampered by strong winds and heavy rainfall.
The independent domestic media outlet DVB reported on Sunday that a 5.5 magnitude aftershock had been recorded in the Mandalay Region on 13 April, noting that this was 128th aftershock since the original quake on March 28.
DVB said at least 4,346 bodies had been recovered since the disaster, with at least 7,890 injured, and 210 people still missing as of 13 April. Mandalay has reported the highest number of fatalities at 2,788.
In a statement shared with BDG, Tzu Chi emphasized the extensive damage and tremendous heartache caused by the earthquake: “Even now, the shock and suffering of those affected at this very moment are hard to imagine, with collapsed buildings and roads, power outages, and damaged infrastructure—with many still sleeping in the open amid heat and rain. Let’s join hands and send our love to Myanmar and Thailand without delay in this tragic time of need.”
Click here for details of “Compassion in Action: Aid for Myanmar”
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.
See more
Tzu Chi Foundation
Tzu Chi USA
Compassion in Action: Aid for Myanmar (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Strong aftershock hits Mandalay Region two weeks after March 28 earthquake (DVB)
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