Thailand has recently been affected by large-scale flooding. Because of the disaster, poor families are suffering even more. With a shared goal of helping the needy, Tzu Chi volunteers prepared and delivered relief supplies to those affected as fast as they could.

The Worst Flood in Local History

The heavy rains in Thailand’s monsoon season and the impact of typhoons have caused disasters in many areas. Among them, the hardest-hit is Ubon Ratchathani province, which is facing the worst floods in local history.

They affected at least 22 provinces and more than 40,000 households in Thailand. When will the floodwaters recede? Some say not until early November.


Sail on Land

The homes of affected people remain flooded. The poor have suffered more. Tzu Chi volunteers first went to survey the number of people in each affected family and learn what the children need, such as milk powder and nutritious food, and what the elderly need.

After that, the volunteers quickly prepared supplies for disaster relief. They sailed on land, not because of leisure, but because of seasonal heavy rainfall that caused rivers to flood. After nearly a month of flooding, some roads in Ubon Ratchathani are still only accessible to large trucks.

Even though the disaster area is still flooded, volunteers drove large trucks to deliver care, or rowed boats to deliver supply packages. Those who are suffering could not leave their homes, so the volunteers sent love and supplies one by one.

Some people are worried about their property, so they choose to stay on the second floor of their homes; with the assistance of the Social Development Department of Ubon Ratchathani Province, volunteers take boats and deliver the aid packages in person. This affected resident is moved and says that the supplies can keep his family alive for two to three weeks. (Tzu Chi volunteer, Zhang Hui-zhen ; right) (Image from Da Ai TV; Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand; 2022/10/14)


Prepare Supplies According to Need

The trucks loaded with supplies parked at the periphery of the tent area, and volunteers got out of the truck to visit on foot; they found many elderly people with limited mobility in various shelters.

Tzu Chi volunteer Zhang Hui-zhen said: “Ubon Ratchathani province is the worst-hit area. So, apart from caring for those affected, we have also brought them daily supplies. We provide multi-grains powder to boost the immunity of the elderly and children, who are the majority here.” Volunteers meticulously prepared supplies according to the needs of the people, so that the beneficiaries could be helped with dignity.

Tzu Chi prepared mosquito nets, mosquito repellants, and grains powder, which help patients to recover. Tzu Chi also gave out adult diapers, which the patients lacked most.

Supphaphimitr, Deputy of Governor of Ubon Ratchathani province, said:

“These diapers are truly helpful. As those bed-ridden are unable to go out, with these diapers from Tzu Chi, they can have better quality of living during the flood.”

This is the proof of the volunteers’ sincere and selfless love. Thanks to this love, those affected, when receiving supplies, felt warmth, ease of mind, and respect.

Boonyuen, one of the affected, said gratefully: “Not expecting such severe flooding, we didn’t move things to safety. Many things have been inundated. I am very happy that Tzu Chi has helped and cared for us with love and compassion.”

Tzu Chi volunteers pack relief supplies meticulously and plan to get the work done in one week. (Photo provided by Tzu Chi Foundation; Thailand; 2022/10/10)


Help Taxi Drivers

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists in Thailand has dropped significantly, and the life of taxi drivers has been plagued by problems.

Those taxi drivers, who have had a very low passenger load rate for two or three years, were looking forward to the return of tourists, but were hit by floods first. The Tzu Chi volunteers in Thailand also brought supplies to the drivers. They have given with love and worked mindfully to bring them aid.

Taxi driver Ti Layun said: "I'm very happy that Tzu Chi distributed supplies to us, which represents devotion and love, and encourages the drivers here to continue to make a living, face the flood bravely, and live with peace of mind, until the water recedes and normal conditions are restored."

Besides, volunteers also invited 23 taxi drivers to come from different districts to help deliver disaster relief to the flooding affected. Like a relay race, the power of love can be delivered to distant places through their help.

Volunteers invite 23 taxi drivers (in yellow vests) to come from different districts to help deliver the relief packages to the flooding affected. (Photo provided by Tzu Chi Foundation; Thailand; 2022/10/13)


Gratitude and Respect

While the floods have not receded yet, the volunteers have to take a raft to bring supplies to the affected. They bring love and supplies to those who cannot go to the aid distributions.

Apart from giving with love, volunteers, after handing out the supplies, also show their respect by putting their palms together and bowing to give good-wishes to the aid recipients to comfort and encourage them. This is how the volunteers give with sincere and selfless love.

With compassion, they feel others’ suffering as their own and bring supplies to those in need. When seeing the needy receive the aid, they feel relieved.

Volunteers feel grateful for having the opportunity to give out relief supplies personally.

To spread love and care is like a relay race. It takes many people to pass love on and spread it far and wide. It takes you and me to work together with love to bring aid to faraway places. So, join Tzu Chi. Let us spread love and care together.