A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Haiti on August 14, killing more than 2,000 people and destroying or damaging nearly 130,000 buildings. In response to the major disaster, Tzu Chi combined forces with local religious organizations to launch large-scale distributions in hard-hit areas. One of the distributions was held on October 1 in Beaumont. A total of 2,100 families received rice, other food items, and family medical kits. Keziah Jean
Hurricane Ida made landfall in the U.S.A. in late August. A state of emergency was declared in New York City as the city battled record-breaking rainfall and flooding. The first floors or basements of buildings were severely flooded; some people perished before they could escape to safety. Tzu Chi volunteers in New York City reached out to victims by providing them with cash cards. This picture shows a survivor moved to tears by Tzu Chi’s aid. Hannah Whisenant
Rioting and looting occurred in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces in July. Durban was among the areas devastated. Prices skyrocketed and people lost their jobs, making getting by even more difficult than usual. Tzu Chi volunteers delivered rice and other items to 141 community hot food stations. They also visited and provided care and aid to people in dire need of help. Courtesy of Tzu Chi Durban
Days of heavy rains battered Shanxi Province in China in early October, affecting more than 1.75 million people. Tzu Chi volunteers mobilized in the immediate aftermath to assess damage and provide aid. On October 12, they delivered Tzu Chi folding beds to a temporary shelter at Fenggu Elementary School in the city of Jinzhong and helped set up the beds. They followed up with more help, including distributing supplies in Laiyuan Township in Jinzhong in late October, aiding 1,400 people. Li Lixin
