Saturday, May 17, 2008

Karmapa Urges Action to Help China's Earthquake Victims

His Holiness Karmapa ended his afternoon teaching today by speaking again about compassion. His Holiness said that we need to share our love and affection with all countries in the world, and that there are many places in the world right now where people are experiencing horrific suffering. We need to extend ourselves to those who are suffering not only in our minds but practically as well. His Holiness mentioned the recent tragic cyclone in Myanmar (Burma) and the massive earthquake in China. Relief efforts in Myanmar, he said, may be complicated by the political situation there, according to reports -- but there is definitely very direct action that can be taken to help the earthquake victims in China. His Holiness urged everyone hearing his message to do whatever they can to help those stricken by the China earthquake.

One way to help is by donating to organizations working on earthquake relief in China.

Oxfam (Oxfam America and Oxfam Hong Kong) has committed $1.55 million to an initial response focused in Sichuan and Gansu provinces. Oxfam was working in Gansu Province on development projects prior to the disaster.

WorldVision has a team on the ground and is providing blankets and tents to 10,000 people to start, while assessing what other survival items are most urgently needed.

Mercy Corps, through its local partner China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), is mounting an emergency response for survivors. They are procuring critical supplies such as food, water, clothing and shelter supplies to rush to affected families.

Network for Good provides direct donation links to a number of organizations that are rushing emergency aid to the region.

4 comments:

Vivian K. said...

Gyalwang Karmapa truly is an incredible compassionate teacher. I was moved to tears by his aspiration at Ground Zero.
Thank you for all the news and information on this blog. It gives me a feeling of beiing present everywhere he goes.

Vivian, Amsterdam, Holland

Anonymous said...

We beleive HH's Karmapa will always bless us and lead us go through all these dark days.
May all the beings gain the peace and happiness.

Tan xiaojing,China

NGHED said...

I'm very impressed by one organization who does this type of major disaster relief. They're called NYC Medics.

I first heard of them when watching a 60 Minutes feature on the work they did in Pakistan, and have been a supporter since.

They have the video on their website, I think.

Tivome said...

Just a note that the places most affected by this disaster is an area of Sichuan populated by ethnic Tibetans and Qiangs (another Chinese minority). They are generally poor to begin with so this has really hit them very, very hard. Please donate to this cause, regardless of how you might feel about the Chinese Communists.