In 2023, although the COVID-19 pandemic had mostly ended, many places in the world remained in a state of crisis due to natural disasters and human conflicts. The Russia-Ukraine war extended into its second year with no end in sight, displacing many millions of Ukrainians, while the Türkiye-Syria Earthquake in February claimed over 50,000 lives. As we entered summer, intensifying global warming led to numerous natural disasters. The United Nations declared that the earth had entered an era of "global boiling," with the average global surface temperature reaching a record high in 2023. In October, the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted, with the New York Times noting that the civilian death rate in the Israel-Palestine war was unprecedented in the 21st century, surpassing the death toll from natural disasters.

Tzu Chi continued to support the Ukrainian refugees displaced by the Russia-Ukraine war, providing mid- to long-term support in terms of shelter, language and vocational training, education, employment, and physical and mental health. This was achieved through local volunteers trained in Poland, Ukrainian refugees assisting as cash-for-work volunteers, and collaboration with 13 international and local NGO partners.

The February 6 Türkiye-Syria Earthquake was one of Tzu Chi's key international humanitarian aid efforts of the year. Tzu Chi's team of volunteers from Taiwan and Istanbul were among the groups allowed to enter the severely affected disaster areas for disaster assessment. They conducted 74 distribution events across four provinces, helping over 40,000 households, a total of nearly 200,000 disaster survivors. In response to an appeal from the Turkish representative office in Taiwan, the Taiwanese people generously donated materials for earthquake relief at Tzu Chi's Neihu office, where Tzu Chi volunteers from across Taiwan packed over 400 tons of new, unused items within just a week to aid Türkiye.

Although we cannot predict the occurrence of disasters, we must always maintain the best possible level of disaster preparedness. Tzu Chi's disaster relief efforts are characterized by its compassionate technology, often using items such as Tzu Chi's multi-purpose foldable beds, tables and chairs, and eco-friendly blankets. Recently developed partition tents provided privacy protection for disaster victims during the 2024 April 3 earthquake in Hualien and were recognized by both Taiwanese and Japanese media. With the addition of the newly patented storage cabinets and mosquito nets, a complete shelter and resettlement kit was showcased at the "Multi-Faith Leaders Climate Resilience Roundtable" held in Washington, D.C. on April 17, receiving high praise.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, approximately 40% of the global population is at high risk of climate change-related disasters. Facing this severe reality, Tzu Chi voluntarily joined the net-zero initiative in 2021, formulating a net-zero carbon emission strategy and moving towards green energy creation, smart energy storage, and precise energy use. Following the completion of a greenhouse gas emission inventory for the Hualien Jing Si Hall in 2022, Tzu Chi completed carbon inventories and certifications for 10 of its major venues in 2023. Using 2023 as the baseline year, strategies and actions have been formulated to achieve the 2050 net-zero emission target.

In response to the inflation and energy and food crises brought about by the Russia-Ukraine war and the pandemic, Tzu Chi provided economic relief through charity interventions as well as spiritual encouragement through a series of grand musical performances titled "Passing on the Dharma of Infinite Meanings." A total attendance of over 250,000 Tzu Chi volunteers and members of the public participated in the performances, which combined art and teachings to interpret the life of the Buddha, the essence of the Sutra of Infinite Meanings, and the history of Tzu Chi's missions, while at the same time praying for Taiwan and the world. All in all, these performances touched nearly a million participants and audiences worldwide.

Inspired by Master Cheng Yen's compassionate mission to "give back to the Buddha's homeland," Tzu Chi volunteers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan registered an international non-governmental organization (INGO) in Nepal. In Lumbini and Kapilavastu, Nepal as well as Bodh Gaya, India, Tzu Chi carried out initiatives in the areas of charity, medicine, education, and humanistic culture, including vocational training for vulnerable women, free medical clinics, school construction, and educational support. The goal is to help the residents of the homeland of the Buddha transform their lives both physically and spiritually.

In the Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards, Tzu Chi stood out, winning gold awards for three projects: "SDG03 - Eco-friendly Assistive Devices for Sustainable Charity," "SDG04 - PaGamO Disaster Prevention Learning," and "SDG12 - Order VO2 to Reduce CO2." These accolades recognize our innovative achievements in charitable care, environmental education, promotion of vegetarian diets, and environmental issues. Tzu Chi's 2020-2021 Sustainability Report was awarded the "2023 SGS ESG Award for Diversity and Inclusion," where Tzu Chi was the only recipient. The Vision Future Incubator won the top prize in the Ministry of Economic Affairs' "Buying Power Social Innovation Products and Services Procurement Award" program. Moreover, the Tzu Chi International Youth Association's (TIYA) innovative Chinese language teaching platform, "El Menahil Promise - Chinese Language Tutoring Project for Syrian Refugee Students," received excellent evaluations in the Ministry of Education's Youth Development Administration's 2023 "Outstanding Overseas Volunteer Service Teams" assessment.

Observing the global situation in 2023 and 2024, global warming, constant disasters, wars and conflicts, and forced displacement are affecting people regardless of wealth or status. As management of a charitable organization with an unshirkable responsibility, we will put even more effort into strengthening Tzu Chi's governance, cross-domain digitalization, empowerment, and succession, promoting vegetarianism for disaster prevention, and achieving net-zero sustainability. Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, deepening environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, and practicing corporate social responsibility (CSR), we will continue to work in four directions to: "Establish systems and strengthen governance," "Pass on the teachings and cultivate talents," "Foster global partnerships for common goodness," and "Improve information and revitalize finance." In doing so, we seek to contribute to the sustainability of the Earth, humankind, and Tzu Chi.

CEO of Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation
Po-Wen Yen

(From the 2023 Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation Annual Report)