ENVELOPING THE WORLD WITH GREAT LOVE

In 1976, after much fighting and bloodshed, North Vietnam and South Vietnam were reunified under communist rule. In 1985 the government opened up its economy and foreign capital entered the market. The living standard in the cities was improved, but in rural areas and for ethnic minority groups, life remained difficult and medical resources were still scarce.

In 1994, Tzu Chi began its operations in Vietnam, focusing primarily on charity work, including long-term care for the poor, visits to old folks homes, and money for those with emergency needs. In 1998, Tzu Chi also began to provide medical services.

In Vietnam, where no public health insurance program exists, a visit to the doctor costs around US$4, while the monthly income of an average Vietnamese is a meager US$50. Since 1998, Tzu Chi volunteers in Vietnam have invited local physicians, Taiwanese businessmen, overseas Chinese and locals to form free clinic teams. The team have held four large-scale free clinics and served a total of twelve thousand people. Two of the free clinics were held in cooperation with the Ho Chi Minh City Sponsorial Association for Poor Patients and the local Red Cross. After the free clinics were held, Tzu Chi volunteers raised funds to provide surgery for people with harelips and cataracts.

The four free clinics were conducted at remote and impoverished regions or where minority groups resided. Although twenty years had passed since the war ended, the scars of war could still be found among the people. Many of the patients seen at the free clinics were victims of the Vietnam war-they were blind or had had their limbs amputated.

Tzu Chi people gave patiently and sincerely, gradually winning the trust and support of the government. Doctors who volunteered services at the free clinics also gained a deeper understanding of the importance of reaching out to help their fellow countrymen. Many remarked that they will invite other doctors to participate in future Tzu Chi free clinics. Also inspired by the actions of the Tzu Chi people were local Chinese who enthusiastically joined the ranks of the volunteers.

Emergency relief

Project time: 1995-present
Aid provided: Cash relief and daily necessities



On August 12, 1998, a fire suddenly broke out in a poor area of Ho Chi Minh City, burning down 118 wood houses that lined the river and making 566 people homeless. Tzu Chi people got news of the fire the same night and immediately went to the disaster area.

Many of the residents in the area were poor laborers who had come from the northern and central parts of Vietnam. The conflagration took everything they had. Tzu Chi volunteers worked through the night to prepare rice, clothes and cash relief, which they distributed the following morning at a temporary shelter set up for the victims at a local elementary school. An old woman who was blind and lived alone was taken into Tzu Chi's long-term care program.

Every year during the rainy season, the central part of Vietnam faces the danger of floods. In early November 1999, the region was overwhelmed by the most severe flooding in a century. The death toll exceeded five hundred and over six hundred thousand houses were damaged.

Tzu Chi volunteers from Vietnam and Malaysia went into the disaster area as soon as the floodwaters abated. They distributed rice, sugar, cooking oil and relief cash to 407 families in the three most affected areas.

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