Mid- and Long-Term Relief

Tzu Chi has been attending UN Haiti earthquake humanitarian relief cluster meetings and meetings with other NGOs and individuals in Haiti. Director of Tzu Chi Global Volunteers, Stephen Huang, met with the President of Haiti to discuss long-term reconstruction plans for the quake survivors. Tzu Chi will focus its long-term reconstruction work in the city of Leogane. For the initial phase, Tzu Chi will focus on the reconstruction of hospitals and schools. Besides the reconstruction of buildings, Tzu Chi will emphasize on guiding and encouraging the people in Haiti to stand on their own feet and to help one another, forming a cycle of love. Tzu Chi continues to recruit more local volunteers and doctors to join Tzu Chi’s mid- and long-term relief operations. Local Tzu Chi volunteers will continue to conduct home visits and community service work in Haiti in the long-run. As part of its mid-term relief effort, Tzu Chi continues to distribute tents and tarps to the quake survivors to help them through the raining season.

Immediate Relief Operation

Tzu Chi’s current relief operation in Haiti continues to focus on the following areas: 1) Relief goods distribution; 2) Medical and emotional assistance; 3) Relief work program (food for work program). Tzu Chi’s current relief operation is primary conducted at the National Stadium, Leogane and Tabarre.  Immediate relief operation will continue until April 4. By early April, 29 cargo containers of relief goods from Tzu Chi’s offices in Asia and the Americas will have been distributed to the quake survivors. Along with the local Tzu Chi volunteers in Haiti, teams of Tzu Chi volunteers and medical personnel from the Americas arrive in Haiti on a weekly basis, providing continuous help in Haiti. Tzu Chi relief team provides medical care and goods directly to the hands of the survivors with respect, a bow and a smile. UN peacekeepers and military police have been providing security protection during Tzu Chi’s distributions.

For the next few weeks, Tzu Chi will be stationed at the National Stadium. Tzu Chi has been invited by the people in Haiti to hold a prayer event at the National Stadium on April 3 for over 10,000 survivors. Besides shelter, food and work opportunities, Tzu Chi brings the survivors hope, encouraging the survivors to create a cycle of love. Tzu Chi also emphasizes on the spirit of Great Love and compassion. Tzu Chi volunteers bring this spirit to the survivors in Haiti and let them know that love has no border; we are one big family helping one another, regardless of our skin color, religion and nationality.  

After the earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, Tzu Chi immediately established a Haiti relief coordination center at the Tzu Chi USA headquarters (San Dimas, CA), and subsequently, a relief coordination center in Tzu Chi’s Dominican Republic office as well as in Haiti. In addition, Tzu Chi initiated a global fundraising campaign, with 35 countries participating in the campaign. The first shipment of goods was immediately prepared by TIHAA (Tzu Chi International Humanitarian Aid Association).  *Notes on special goods:  Instant rice is ready to be served after 40-50 minutes in room temperature water or 20 minutes in hot water. Instant corn powder can be served after pouring in room temperature water.  Each eco-friendly fleece blanket is made from 70 recycled PET bottles.

Below are summary statistics on Tzu Chi’s current relief operation in Haiti.

Medical Services (as of March 12)  

Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) continues to provide medical care to the quake survivors. As of March 12, Tzu Chi has provided medical services, such as general medicine, oriental medicine, dental services and chiropractic care, to approximately 10,170 patients. Tzu Chi’s volunteer doctors discovered that most patients suffer from skin conditions (due to poor water sanitation), respiratory conditions, communicable diseases, dehydration and malnutrition. Below is a breakdown of the services provided: