DDM Launches Urgent Relief Operations Following an Earthquake in Henchun Peninsula
On 26 December 2006, the day of the second anniversary of the South Asian tsunami, a powerful earthquake wiped out the Henchung Peninsula, causing severe devastation to Pintung County, Henchun Township, which is more than a hundred years old.
Soon after the earthquake and upon the notification of DDM followers in Pintung County, Guokei Chen, Secretary-General of Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation and Zhehsiung Weng, Deputy Secretary-General of the southern region immediately initiated emergency relief network operations on the night of the earthquake.
A rescue and mind-relief team consisting of members from the districts of Kaohsiung, Chaozhou and Pingtung was soon formed in the morning of 27 December to assist people affected by the earthquake in Henchun.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen and the Abbot President of DDM, Venerable Guo Dong, not only expressed their warmest and deepest sympathies to the people affected by the earthquake, they also asked DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation to dedicate itself fully to the disaster relief efforts.
Later in the day, volunteers were divided into four groups to visit NanMen General Hospital in Henchun, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Henchun, Henchun Christian Hospital and Pintung Hospital to express DDM's greatest sympathy to the injured and the warmest blessing to the deceased.
DDM's speedy emergency relief actions not only assisted victims with spiritual and material relief in a timely manner, they went a long way to alleviate people's intense fear and grief caused by the earthquake, calming the minds of people affected by the disaster.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by Gloria Wong)
