"I'm so happy to have rice again. I've been eating instant noodles or ramen for the past few days," said a resident of Anamizu, Japan, as he received a hot meal from Tzu Chi volunteers. The resident's joyful words also revealed his longing to return to normal life after the earthquake on New Year’s Day that struck the region.

On January 16, the strongest cold wave of the winter in Japan brought fierce winds and snow to the disaster area in Anamizu. Tzu Chi volunteers braved the snow and wind to reach Anamizu General Hospital early in the morning to continue cooking hot meals. They wanted to deliver the residents' favorite rice and side dishes for lunch before noon.

More than two weeks have passed since the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year’s day. More than 20,000 residents are still sheltering in evacuation centers. Some are even living in their cars, as life in the disaster area requires temporary simplicity and endurance.

On January 16, Tzu Chi volunteers provided 300 rice meals at the Anamizu Town Community Center and delivered 150 meals to Anamizu Middle School, and 60 meals for the Anamizu Town Hall. They hope their kindness will give the residents a boost of morale.

The volunteers’ kindness reminds us that. even in tragedy, there is always hope.

On the fifth day of distributing hot meals, even before dawn, volunteers walked over the snow-covered ground, braving sub-zero temperatures as they entered the disaster-stricken area to prepare hot meals. Their commitment is full of determination, without fear, fueled only by their willingness to shoulder the responsibility to help.