China
On January 7, a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Tingri County in Shigatse, Tibet. Neighboring areas such as Lhatse County were also affected. Over 3,000 houses collapsed, and more than 60,000 people were displaced. Tzu Chi volunteers in China quickly mobilized to prepare and organize the transportation of emergency aid, including 32,000 kilograms (70,550 pounds) of tsampa (a local staple food), 2,000 blankets, 350 metric tons (385 U.S. short tons) of heating coal, and 600 folding beds. These supplies were distributed to displaced residents at resettlement sites.
Nepal
On January 11, Tzu Chi held a groundbreaking ceremony for its Lumbini campus. Over 2,300 people attended. The campus will serve as a base for Tzu Chi’s humanitarian efforts in Nepal, with plans for a vocational training center, a free clinic, and other facilities.
Thailand
On December 18 and 19, Tzu Chi Thailand distributed winter aid in the form of shopping vouchers. The assistance benefited 2,046 refugee households from Iran, Pakistan, and other countries.
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan government declared bankruptcy in July 2022. While the situation has gradually stabilized, a shortage of basic goods persists. Tzu Chi volunteers have regularly distributed aid at the Colombo office, helping over a hundred impoverished households during the food scarcity. One such event took place on January 28.
Taiwan
A new student dormitory at Fengtian Junior High School in Taitung County, built with Tzu Chi’s support, was inaugurated on January 2. The county government sought the foundation’s assistance for its construction to remedy the cramped conditions and inadequate facilities of the previous dormitory. The new facility features 21 bedrooms with 126 beds, as well as shower rooms, a reading room, a dining area, and a training lounge, providing students with a better environment to focus on their studies and develop their potential.
On January 21, an earthquake struck southern Taiwan, with its epicenter located in Dapu Township, Chiayi County. In the immediate aftermath, from January 22 to 27, Tzu Chi volunteers conducted nearly 4,000 home visits in affected areas, providing comfort and support while distributing emergency financial aid to 240 households as well as 4,000 gift packs. Volunteers also provided 40,000 hot meals and assisted in setting up government shelters by supplying 497 folding beds and 193 privacy cubicles. Beginning February 10, expert volunteers from across Taiwan helped repair homes in two neighborhoods in Nanxi District, Tainan.
At 11:33 a.m. on February 13, a gas explosion occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Xitun District, Taichung City, killing four people and injuring 34. The weather was cold and rainy, so volunteers set up a care center outside the rescue area, providing hot ginger tea, bottled water, bread, sweet porridge, and rice dumplings to emergency responders. Volunteers also visited hospitals to comfort the injured and their families.
Malaysia
Continuing their flood relief efforts from late 2024, Tzu Chi Kelantan volunteers visited 11 schools in Tumpat and Pasir Mas in January, distributing school uniforms and necessities to 3,321 students, along with cash aid to 295 staff members. They also provided dry food, blankets, cleaning supplies, and cash aid to 568 households in several ethnic Thai villages and a Thai temple.
Beginning on Lunar New Year’s Eve, January 28, Borneo experienced several consecutive days of torrential rain, causing flooding in Bintulu, Miri, and Keningau and affecting over 10,000 people. From February 6 to 16, volunteers were mobilized to assess damage and compile a distribution roster, visiting 5,494 households. They also distributed food to affected families, assisted elderly residents in cleaning their homes, helped students with school uniform expenses, and provided school desks and chairs. On February 23, cash aid distributions were held in Bintulu and Miri.
Indonesia
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, Tzu Chi Indonesia, in collaboration with the Iskandar Muda Military Regional Command, conducted a free clinic from December 14 to 15 at a military hospital in Kuta Alam, Banda Aceh. During the event, 114 surgeries were performed, including cataract, hernia, cleft lip, and tumor treatments.
Tzu Chi Indonesia, working with various government agencies, launched a project in January to build 500 free housing units for underprivileged families, replacing their old, unsafe homes. Construction was set to begin in Johar Baru, Central Jakarta. On February 12, a site assessment was conducted in Tanah Tinggi, Johar Baru.
Sierra Leone
On February 10, a Tzu Chi team began a three-week visit to Sierra Leone. They met with Tzu Chi’s humanitarian aid partners in the country, including Caritas Freetown, the Healey International Relief Foundation, and the Lanyi Foundation, to assess the impact of Tzu Chi’s projects and discuss further support. Tzu Chi began providing aid in Sierra Leone in 2015, assisting homeless Ebola survivors and orphans following the worst Ebola outbreak in history, which began in Guinea in 2013 and spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone before being officially declared over in 2016. Over the past ten years, Tzu Chi and its partners have also provided support in response to floods, landslides, and slum fires. Additional work has included women’s sewing training, community cleaning to prevent floods, water resource and sanitation system construction, and educational programs. These efforts have benefited more than 100,000 people annually.
The United States
On January 7, devastating wildfires broke out in Los Angeles County, with two of them ranking among the three most destructive in California’s history. Tzu Chi volunteers took part in relief efforts at the Wildfire Resource Hub and three FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, assisting survivors with aid registration, while a mobile vision clinic served 183 people. From January 18 to February 23, Tzu Chi distributed cash cards, blankets, cleaning supplies, clothing, food packages, and protective gear to 4,339 affected households. Volunteers completed 1,800 shifts in total. ★More information
Bitter cold hit the southern United States, with temperatures dropping to -2°C to -8°C (28.4°F to 17.6°F). Thousands of flights were canceled or delayed. To assist those in need, Tzu Chi Texas volunteers prepared supplies and, on January 20, delivered blankets, drinking water, and food to two warming centers serving homeless individuals.
