
So far Japan's National Police Agency has confirmed more than 13,000 deaths, nearly 5,000 injured and over 14,000 people missing, as well as over 125,000 buildings damaged or destroyed. The government has estimated the cost of the disaster at US$309 billion, making it the world's most expensive natural disaster on record.
In response, Tzu Chi volunteers in 39 countries on five continents have stepped forward to raise funds to help the survivors, a way not only to donate money but also to bring out the goodness of people. Among them are the volunteers of Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, which was itself rocked by an earthquake of 7.0 on the Richter scale on January 10 last year. They went onto the streets and found people, poor and needy as they are, willing to donate. It is the same story in Myanmar, the 20th poorest country in the world, where volunteers led people in donations and deep praying.

The regions and countries who participated in the fund-raising were: Taiwan, Japan, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Guatemala, Chile, Netherlands San Martin, Haiti, Ecuador , South Africa, Lesotho, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Jordan, South Korea, Turkey, Cambodia, Australia and New Zealand.
Newer news items:
- Second Relief Fund Distribution in the Northeast of Japan
- Foundation First Charity to Deliver Relief Cash in Japan
- Tzu Chi Prepares Aid Distribution for 9,000 Households in Japan
- Tzu Chi Delivers Aid to 1,200 Disaster Survivors in Japan
Older news items:
- Hualien Elementary School Prays and Donates for Japan
- Help JAPAN with Love
- Tzu Chi Delivers 20 Tons of Relief Goods to 7,000 in Northeast Japan
- Tzu Chi Sends 10 Tons of Relief Goods to Northeast Japan