Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

Five days after the 2/6 Tainan earthquake disaster, Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi volunteers continue to provide hot meals and material and emotional care for survivors and family members at four relief service stations, hospitals and funeral homes around the city.

With around 1000 volunteer shifts per day, volunteers have cared for 388 affected families as well as 179 patients and family members at the hospitals from Feb 6 to 10. A total of 5977 volunteer shifts included 61 medical professionals.

During the first five days, Tzu Chi gave out 13,240 portions of hot meals to rescue workers and worried family members and provided 2,000 eco-blankets and 185 foldable beds for survivors, as well as emergency cash aid to 189 families for a total of NT$3,495,000.

On Feb 10, 30 medical professionals from Tzu Chi's hospitals in Dalin, Hualien and Taichung as well as TIMA volunteers provided free medical services. In the wake of the intense psychological pressure experienced by the waiting family members, many have started developing physical problems.

In the morning, a father who had been waiting for news at the disaster site for five days developed a blood pressure of 180, which was quickly treated by Tzu Chi's onsite doctors. Also many rescue workers were suffering from pain and exhaustion.

Acupuncturists from Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital provided massage as pain relief to rescue workers and comforted grieving family members. They even massaged the exhausted search and rescue dogs, who were then able to continue their work searching for survivors in the collapsed building.

During the afternoon and evening, two of Tzu Chi's mobile kitchen vans arrived, and immediately started offering hot meals to affected residents and workers.

On Feb 11, Tzu Chi volunteers continued to provide 24-hour relief services, care and comfort to survivors at three service locations as well as ten hospitals around the city. Tzu Chi volunteers also organized 32 teams who visited 380 affected families, consoling and calming their worried hearts.

In the evening of Feb 11, the organization is holding a large-scale prayer vigil for the victims of the earthquake, inviting survivors and family members, relief workers, neighbors, and representatives for religious organizations.