On April 3 at 7:58 am, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Hualien, causing extensive damage to buildings and resulting in casualties. Collaborating with Hualien County Government, Tzu Chi Foundation arranged temporary shelter for over two hundred people at locations like Zhonghua Elementary School.

A key feature is the blue or gray partition tents provided to give disaster survivors some privacy in an otherwise large and open space. | Photo by Kun-cheng Xue | 2024/04/04

Following the quake, Tzu Chi volunteers immediately provided hot meals at sites such as Dexing Baseball Field, Zhonghua Elementary School, and Hwa Jen Junior High School. They also supplied tents, Jing Si multipurpose foldable beds, Jing Si partition tents, eco-friendly blankets, hot meals, and drinking water to support affected residents and rescue workers.

Taking Privacy into Account

To ensure privacy for those accommodated in the school auditorium, Tzu Chi helped set up "Jing Si partition tents" to various temporary shelters in Hualien.

The Jing Si partition tents first came about after a shallow magnitude-6.2 earthquake also struck Hualien in 2018. At the time, Tzu Chi Foundation set up service centers in two government-operated disaster relief centers, providing "Jing Si multipurpose foldable beds" for survivors and rescue personnel to use. However, at that time, Tzu Chi volunteers noticed that families of all sizes were living openly without any privacy. Even sleeping was done in plain sight, without any sense of privacy.

Realizing the lack of privacy, Tzu Chi decided to design accommodation facilities that would provide privacy for the displaced people after the earthquake relief period ended. Thus, in collaboration with Tzu Chi Foundation’s affiliated Jing Si Publishing Co. They developed the "Jing Si partition tents," aiming to enhance people’s privacy in temporary shelters.

Made from Recycled Plastic

Made of recycled plastic, the partition tents can be set up in just two minutes and are also easy to store with their compact size. | Photos by Kun-cheng Xue | 2024/04/04

The "Jing Si partition tents" were developed in 2019, with the fabric made from recycled plastic. Apart from serving as space dividers, they can be easily set up within two minutes, have a compact storage size, and are fire-resistant for indoor use. In 2020, they were procured nationwide and included as part of Tzu Chi's disaster relief supplies.

Soothing the Anxieties of Disaster Survivors

In the aftermath of the earthquake this time, Tzu Chi has erected and neatly arranged the blue or gray partition tents at the shelter in Zhonghua Elementary School's activity center. Some sections have been designated as women's sleeping areas or special care zones, offering options for families or individuals to stay together or separately. Inside, "Jing Si multipurpose foldable beds" have been set up for residents to lie down and rest.

Mr. Chang has expressed gratitude for the partition tents provided by Tzu Chi, which consider privacy and rest. He and his family settled in with peace of mind. | Photos by Li Zhicheng | 2024/04/04

Mr. Chang, his wife and two-month-old daughter have found solace in these accommodations. He expressed gratitude for the partition tents provided by Tzu Chi, which allows for privacy and relaxation, allowing his family to settle in with peace of mind.

Volunteer trainee Yan-xiang Chen, accompanied by his son, Guan-wei Chen, a student at Tzu Chi School, contributed to the earthquake relief efforts. They transported the foldable beds and partition tents to Hwa Jen Junior High School and assisted in assembling them. | Photo by Sheng Xiuhua | Hwa Jen Junior High School, Hualien | 20240405

Through experience with each disaster, Tzu Chi is always looking for ways to improve disaster relief efforts, aiming to provide the most appropriate and compassionate support to individuals facing unexpected crises.