An Immediate Call to Action

On September 23, 2025, Super Typhoon Ragasa delivered a devastating blow to Taiwan's eastern coast. The resulting overflow of the Matai'an Stream landslide dam (barrier lake) triggered severe, widespread flooding across Guangfu, Wanrong, and Fenglin townships in Hualien.

Guangfu Township suffered the worst impact, with its low elevation leading to over 1,600 homes submerged in muddy silt. The disaster left residents reeling from disrupted power and transportation, limited medical access, and profound distress. As of October 12, 2025, the recorded toll included 19 deaths and over 150 injuries.

In line with its ethos of "compassion, joy, giving, and equanimity," the Tzu Chi Foundation immediately activated its full disaster response. We mobilized the Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, extensive volunteer teams, and collaborated with local government to launch a comprehensive, multifaceted recovery operation.

Guiding Principles: The 6 P's Framework

Our work centers on humanitarian relief, guided by the principles of directness, priority, respect, practicality, and timeliness. This ensures our support is appropriate and effective from the first hours through the long recovery.

We adopted the 6 P's Initiative as our framework for comprehensive care:

• Prompt Relief and Safety
• Psychological and Spiritual Support
• Permanent Housing (future planning)
• Preservation of Children's Education
• Peaceful Livelihood
• Protection of the Environment

This holistic approach ensures comprehensive care for survivors, aligning our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable community recovery.

Phase One: Swift Emergency Response

Tzu Chi volunteers were on the ground within hours, focusing on three essential pillars: immediate sustenance, organized cleanup, and medical care.

1. Sustenance and Logistics: Hot Meals for the Heart

Within two days, Tzu Chi established a central kitchen at the Tzu Chi's Ruisui Jing Si Hall and mobile food trucks near Guangfu Train Station. This crucial logistical effort ensured the continuous provision of hot, nutritious vegetarian meals. At its highest point, the mobile food trucks network provided up to 4,800 meals in a single day, allowing both exhausted survivors and thousands of dedicated relief workers to be nourished and focus on recovery without additional worry.

2. Mass Mobilization and Cleanup

Starting September 25, volunteers from across Taiwan joined the massive effort, including providing care at temporary shelter centers. The cleanup required swift organization, especially given the scale of the mud and debris. The Tzu Chi Disaster Relief Decision-Making Platform was deployed to track cleanup routes and conduct real-time needs assessments, ensuring precise monitoring and planning.

3. Around-the-Clock Medical Care

Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital established a temporary medical station on September 24. Teams were quickly stationed at the Guangfu Sugar Factory, operating continuously for days. Services included internal medicine, pediatrics, rehabilitation, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Medical teams conducted frequent home visits and provided essential psychological counseling to help residents begin processing their trauma.

Phase Two: Long-Term Healing and Reconstruction

The emergency response successfully stabilized the community, allowing Tzu Chi to transition into the long-term support phase, fulfilling the final P's of our initiative.

1. Financial and Spiritual Support

To help affected families restart, Tzu Chi distributed relief funds in two rounds (October 4 to 11), providing 50,000 NTD (approximately 1,624 USD) per household as emergency support.

• Personalized Follow-Up: During distribution, volunteers visited each household, meticulously documenting their specific needs. This effort established a systematic database for ongoing support related to economic aid, assistive devices, home repairs, and counseling.
• Long-Term Care: Vulnerable individuals, such as seniors living alone and people with disabilities, were identified as long-term care recipients for regular visits and sustained support.

2. Preservation of Children's Education

The flooding severely impacted students' ability to learn. Tzu Chi ensured that education was a priority in the recovery:

• Computer Donations: Starting October 5, refurbished computers and new peripherals were donated to schools (including Dajin, Guangfu, Tafa Long, and Sifu Elementary) to replace damaged IT equipment and ensure uninterrupted learning.
• School Supplies: Through collaboration with 9x9 Stationery PRO CO., LTD, backpacks and school supplies were provided to help students return happily to school.

3. Home Repair and Utility Restoration

Recognizing that a safe home is foundational to recovery, Tzu Chi integrated support for home repairs and utility restoration.

• Needs Assessment: Data collected during the relief fund distribution identified specific households needing assistance with major repairs, electrical system restoration, and plumbing damage caused by the floodwaters.
• Technical Support: Tzu Chi is collaborating with local contractors and providing technical support to assist the most affected families in restoring essential functionality to their homes.

Moving Forward with Love

Climate change is an urgent global challenge, but the response in Hualien proved that compassion is equally powerful. As news spread, public concern quickly turned into action, with many stepping forward to help and demonstrating the powerful positive ripple effect of collective goodwill.

Tzu Chi volunteers are committed to being "the first to arrive and accompany survivors every step of the way." The road to recovery for Guangfu is long. Whether families need financial support, help with home reconstruction, or emotional care, Tzu Chi will continue to provide the most appropriate assistance until all affected families have regained stability and can look toward a brighter future.