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Charity (2006-2014)
Tzu Chi in the USA
1989 – 2014

fter the devastation caused by Hurricane
Katrina in 2005 and another bout of
ASouthern California wildfires in 2007,
natural disasters seemed to be ever more devas-
tating and frequent in the years that followed. In
addition to annual outbreaks of tornadoes, bliz-
zards, hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires
throughout the country, the United States was
struck by the disastrous spring of 2011, during
which hundreds of tornadoes led to more than
five hundred deaths and the worst Mississippi
River flooding in years added nearly four hun-
dred more. In 2012, the Northeast was struck by
Hurricane Sandy, the most devastating storm
since Katrina, which caused more than $65
billion in damages and affected countless indi-
viduals, especially in vulnerable communities.
In the midst of these disasters, Tzu Chi
volunteers continued to carry out their vow to
compassionately relieve suffering. Thanks to
a growing number of partnerships with other
organizations, volunteers were able to help
others in an increasingly efficient manner. In June
2006, Tzu Chi was admitted to National Voluntary
Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), a
coalition of disaster relief organizations that in
2013 recognized Tzu Chi as its Member of the
Year. Tzu Chi was nominated for the award by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), another organization with which Tzu
Chi volunteers have frequently collaborated
over the years.
Building on a partnership that had been
steadily growing over years of disaster relief,
Tzu Chi and the American Red Cross signed
a memorandum of understanding on June
18, 2008, agreeing to work hand in hand
to complement each other in disaster relief

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