By I-Wei Chen, I-Hua Wen, Mei-Fong Lin, Hsiu-Lien Chu, Shu-Chen Liu | Europe
In September 2024, devastating wildfires swept through Portugal’s central-northern regions, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Over 15,000 hectares of forest burned, seven lives were lost—including three firefighters—and countless homes and livelihoods were destroyed. Amid this crisis, Tzu Chi volunteers from across Europe joined hands to provide immediate relief and long-term support to affected communities, bringing hope and resilience to those in need.
Volunteers surveyed the damage, witnessing homes, orchards, farmland, and barns destroyed by fire. Stored firewood, meant for winter, became fuel for the blaze, intensifying the danger.
A Community in Crisis
In São Pedro do Sul, a region supported by Tzu Chi since 2019, residents faced terrifying scenes as flames neared their homes. Local volunteer Maria, 75, was among those evacuated. Despite her health challenges, Maria focused on helping others at the shelter, cooking meals for evacuees and firefighters.
The fires destroyed farms, orchards, and storage facilities, adding to the struggles of residents already living on modest incomes. Over 50% of São Pedro do Sul’s population is aged 65 or older, relying on meager pensions of 200–300 EUR (approx. 210–320 USD). The loss of food supplies and farming equipment pushed them further into hardship.
Volunteers Spring into Action
On October 11, European Tzu Chi volunteers from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland arrived in São Pedro do Sul for a disaster assessment. The city government provided vehicles, and Mayor Vitor Figueiredo personally guided the team to inspect the damage.
The mayor described the devastation, noting that strong winds spread the fire rapidly, engulfing nine of the city’s 14 administrative zones. While large forest areas were lost, the joint efforts of firefighters and residents managed to save many homes, which he called a small miracle.
Immediate Relief and Long-Term Plans
Understanding the long-term needs, volunteers began planning sustained assistance, including:
Elderly Care: Continuing support for a local care center that provides meals for 35 seniors daily, increasing monthly funding to 900 EUR (approx. 950 USD) to offset inflation.
Food Bank: Starting a food distribution program for vulnerable families, sourcing supplies from regional food banks and Tzu Chi donations.
Dental Clinics: Reviving plans for free dental care for disabled individuals with local resources and volunteer dentists.
Hope Amidst Adversity
As São Pedro do Sul recovers, the resilience of its residents shines through. Community members, young and old, worked together to clean and restore a fire-damaged shelter. Tzu Chi volunteers remain committed to supporting these efforts, embodying their mission of spreading love and relief to those in need.
