Page 43 - Tzu Chi Q&A_First Edition

2-4 2-5

How many permanent houses has Tzu Chi What are Tzu Chi’s winter aid distributions?
built for disaster survivors and the poor
around the world? Tzu Chi’s winter aid distributions are held to support
the needy through the winter.
As of 2016, Tzu Chi had built 18,387 houses in 15
countries and regions around the world. After Tzu Chi was founded in 1966, it began to give
out aid supplies to the needy once every month. In
Before people move into their new homes, Tzu Chi 1969, at the monthly aid distribution right before the
volunteers will prepare “housewarming gifts,” which Chinese New Year, Tzu Chi prepared additional aid
may include furniture, electric appliances, kitchen supplies, new year gifts, and a reunion meal to wish
utensils, food supplies, blankets and items of daily its aid recipients a happy Chinese New Year. Since
necessities, based on their needs. then, this special aid distribution has become a reg-
ular event every year. As it is held before the Chinese
New Year, which falls in winter, it is usually referred
to as the winter aid distribution. Over the years, the
event has spread across Taiwan and to other parts of
the world.

Tzu Chi’s first win-
ter aid distribution
in 1969 benefited
m o r e t h a n 20 0
people in 40 fami-
The permanent houses Tzu Chi built for Typhoon Morakot survivors lies. (Tzu Chi Foundation)
in Taiwan are fully furnished with furniture, a TV set, a refrigerator,
home appliances, and other daily necessities. (Michael Xiao)

22 23