When Disaster Strikes, Compassion Responds 

In September 2024, violent winds and relentless rains caused one of the worst floods in Poland’s history. Entire towns were engulfed, homes washed away, and families left grasping for survival. Though months had passed, the pain remained. 

In April 2025, hope arrived in the form of hands reaching across borders. Tzu Chi volunteers from Spain joined the team in Poland, united in a mission to bring aid to Głuchołazy and Lewin Brzeski—two of the hardest-hit towns. Their goal was not only to distribute essential supplies but also to remind survivors that they were never alone. 

More Than Aid—A Message of Love 

Compassion knows no distance. Though Taiwan is thousands of kilometers away, Tzu Chi volunteers in Poland proved that love crosses oceans. As aid recipients arrived, they were welcomed with warmth, dignity, and a simple but powerful message: You are not forgotten. 

Volunteer Hui-Ju Chen-Atlas stood before the crowd, pointing to Taiwan’s location on a map. "Though we come from far away," she told them, "we are here because suffering knows no borders—and neither does love." 

Her husband, Radoslaw Atlas, shared his story. When the Russia-Ukraine war forced thousands to flee to Poland, he witnessed Tzu Chi volunteers stepping forward to help refugees. That moment inspired him and his wife to join the mission. 

Similarly, volunteers from Poznań, Lukasz Baranowski and Shu-Erh Chang, found their way to Tzu Chi through the Ukrainian relief efforts. Standing before flood survivors, they expressed their commitment to supporting communities in need—wherever they may be. 

Healing Hearts, One Kind Gesture at a Time 

For many survivors, the flood was not just a disaster—it was a nightmare that still haunts them. One woman, Ewa, remembered the terrifying moment when the floodwaters surged, forcing her family to flee in the dead of night. Months later, she returned to a shattered home, faced with the daunting task of rebuilding from nothing. “I told myself I could not give up,” she said, holding back tears. "I had to believe that life could begin again." 

When she received an aid card, she held it close. "This is more than financial support," she said. "It is proof that kindness exists—that even in darkness, people will reach out and lift each other up." 

Around the room, many others shared their grief, showing volunteers heartbreaking photos of their waterlogged homes. Some cried, reliving the pain. But amidst the sorrow, they found solace as the volunteers embraced them, offering words of comfort, listening with their hearts, and reassuring them that brighter days would come. 

Even the youngest volunteers made an impact. Little Zuzia, a girl from Lublin, stood in front of the crowd with unwavering sincerity. “Let’s pray,” she said softly. “For ourselves, for our families, and for peace in the world.” As she led the prayer, the room fell silent—people closed their eyes, whispering wishes for healing. Afterward, she eagerly helped distribute blankets, proving that compassion knows no age. 

The Ripple Effect of Giving 

The kindness extended to Poland did not stop with its recipients. Inspired by the relief effort, Ukrainian refugees living in Warsaw—who once relied on Tzu Chi’s help—decided they wanted to give back. Though they had lost much themselves, they collected donations, asking Tzu Chi volunteers to pass on their love to the Polish flood survivors. 

When Social Bureau Director Alicja received the funds, she was deeply moved. “These refugees once had nothing," she said. "Now, they are the ones offering help. It’s proof that compassion is not just received—it grows, spreads, and transforms the world.” 

Warsaw-based volunteer Anna Kasko reflected on the true power of humanity: “Master Cheng Yen teaches that one person may walk fast, but together, we can walk far. This experience has shown me that disaster does not divide us—it brings us together. No one is an outsider in suffering. Only through unity can we rebuild lives.” 

One recipient approached Anna, eyes filled with gratitude. “In today’s world, money is everywhere," she said. "But what truly matters is what you give from the heart. Tzu Chi reminds us to be kind, to lift one another up, and to never lose faith in humanity.” 

Hope in Action 

Though some flood survivors were unable to attend the distribution, volunteers made a promise: they would return. On April 17, a follow-up event was planned to ensure every affected family received aid. 

“As long as there is suffering, we will not turn away,” said a volunteer. “We may not be able to erase the past, but we can build a future—one of hope, compassion, and the belief that no one should walk alone.” 

The floodwaters may have destroyed homes, but they could not take away the resilience of the human spirit. Through acts of kindness—big and small—the survivors of Poland are reminded that love always finds a way to shine through. 

By Hui-ju Chen