Jan. 14 – 18
Serbia─
Provided winter clothing and mattress covers to support refugees
Though temperatures were approaching zero degrees Celsius, some refugees in Serbia were wearing short sleeves and slippers. In an effort to help this disadvantaged group, Tzu Chi volunteers visited refugee camps in the country in mid-January to distribute and donate 3,500 winter garments and 5,000 mattress covers. This ongoing support from Tzu Chi began in 2016. Since then, volunteers have inspired more than 20 local Serbian individuals to work with them to assist refugees in their country.
Jan. 31
Mozambique─
The country’s largest secondary school is inaugurated
After Cyclone Idai, Tzu Chi assumed the responsibility of rebuilding 23 schools in Mozambique. The largest of these is ESG Mafambisse in Dondo District, Sofala Province, which is also the country’s largest secondary school. The completed school was officially handed over on January 31, with President Filipe Nyusi personally attending the event and expressing his gratitude. Tzu Chi has successfully reconstructed five schools to date, with construction in progress for 13 others.
Feb. 5
The Philippines─
Prompt aid for flood-affected families
In late January, heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides in Davao Region, in the southern Philippines. Tzu Chi volunteers conducted a disaster assessment on February 5 and swiftly distributed relief supplies on the 7th in the remote and severely affected Barangay Magupising, in Dujali. They provided more than ten essential items, including rice, multifunctional folding beds, and blankets. Seven hundred and fifty-one households benefited from the assistance.
Poland─
Care for Ukrainian refugees and local needy people
Tzu Chi volunteers in Opole, Poland, have been extending assistance to Ukrainians fleeing the war in their homeland. Their aid includes offering Polish language classes. Recently, they reached out to vulnerable refugees staying in a budget-friendly hostel and other places, distributing shopping vouchers to alleviate their needs. They also helped needy Polish people. From December 2023 to February 2024, they organized five distributions of shopping vouchers, aiding 1,100 Ukrainian refugees and local residents.
Feb. 10 – 14
Taiwan─
Environmental efforts for 15 consecutive years at a temple in Tainan
Tzu Chi volunteers in Tainan have engaged in a regular activity every Lunar New Year since 2010. They visit Luermen Shengmu Temple in this southern city to salvage recyclable garbage and advocate for environmental conservation. This year, with a million worshippers flocking to the temple to pray for peace and participate in a fair, volunteers worked more than a hundred shifts from the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, promoting resource recycling and vegetarianism to safeguard the Earth.
Feb. 16
Japan─
Second phase of aid launched for survivors of Noto earthquake
Residents of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture faced challenges following a strong earthquake on January 1, including snow, collapsed or damaged houses, and water outages. To help them through this difficult time, Tzu Chi Japan distributed hot meals in the town of Anamizu, providing 7,000 servings from January 13 to 29. On February 8, volunteers once again entered the disaster area to prepare for further aid work. They initiated a work relief program on the 16th, employing local residents to assist in meal preparation for distribution. They also assessed the possibility of distributing blankets and providing financial aid. (For more information, please refer to pages 36 to 42.)
Mar. 1
Taiwan─
Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital is upgraded to a medical center
To ensure the quality of medical services and to protect patients’ rights in Taiwan, the Joint Commission of Taiwan, a healthcare accreditation and quality improvement organization, implemented a new hospital accreditation system in 2007. Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital participated in medical center evaluations for the first time in 2013 and attained quasi-medical center status in 2016. Exemplary performance in 2023 assessments led to its elevation to a full-fledged medical center in 2024.
