Philippine volunteers urgently assemble to pack relief supplies for those affected by Typhoon Gaemi. | Da Ai News Screenshot | 2024/08/01

Typhoon Gaemi, known as Super Typhoon Carina in the Philippines, was a powerful tropical cyclone that severely affected Taiwan, the Philippines, and East China in late July 2024. Gaemi formed as a tropical depression east of Palau, Oceania, on July 19. At peak intensity, Gaemi reached one-minute sustained winds of 230 km/h (145 mph) and ten-minute maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph).

Typhoon Gaemi brought severe flooding to both Taiwan and the Philippines. In the Manila metropolitan area, heavy rains quickly turned the city into a waterlogged region, paralyzing many urban roads. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report, over a million people were displaced, and at least 36 people lost their lives.

Tzu Chi Philippines began monitoring the affected areas during the typhoon. Despite the large volume of relief supplies and the increased efforts of volunteers, the need for help outstripped the available hands. Concerned about the impact on distribution schedules, even Tzu Chi scholarship students and their parents joined in to help with packing. Supplies spread out on the table tested the volunteers' coordination. Over 8,000 relief packages continuously moved along this charitable assembly line because those in need were anxiously waiting.

Typhoon Gaemi's southwest monsoon impact delivered a powerful "tail swipe" that severely affected the Philippines. | Da Ai News Screenshot | 2024/08/01


Care Recipients Join in After Hearing the News

The urgency of the disaster survivors spurred the volunteers to act swiftly. The typhoon’s southwest monsoon impact made basic clothing scarce in the disaster areas. Alongside clothing, essential kitchen supplies such as rice, oil, salt, and soy sauce were on standby. The thought of the survivors’ plight motivated everyone to sacrifice their rest and keep working.

Tzu Chi volunteer Wei Yao said, “What we are doing now is helping to repackage second-hand clothes and undergarments. There’s a lot to repackage, and we’ve set aside time specifically to help.”

In addition to clothing, volunteers are actively preparing essential supplies like rice, oil, and salt. | Da Ai News Screenshot | 2024/08/01


Despite the growing number of volunteers since the typhoon, the vast affected area still needed more hands. Hearing the call, disadvantaged students and their parents who had received Tzu Chi’s assistance eagerly joined the packing efforts. Volunteer Hilda Katube said, “Participating in these volunteer activities to give back to society is our way of expressing our gratitude to Tzu Chi.” This is how everyone wanted to contribute their strength and quickly deliver love to the affected people.

Report by Tzu Chi Media Volunteers | Sydney, Janelle, Mikaela | Philippines | 2024/08/01