A month has passed since the tsunami triggered by an earthquake off the western coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia, devastated the shores of Asian nations situated on the Indian Ocean. Over 220,000 people are reported to have died as a result, and the death toll is expected to rise. Millions of people have lost their homes in those devastated areas and are being forced to live in temporary shelters.
To promptly respond to the emergency situations in the wake of the tsunami, which was among the deadliest disasters in modern history, Tenrikyo Overseas Department entrusted the Japanese Red Cross Society with five million yen on December 29. The contribution came from the funds that had previously been collected by the Overseas Department’s International Net for Mutual Help. The department also entrusted some local relief organizations in Indonesia and Thailand with one million yen each through Yayasan Dharma Bakti Tenri Indonesia and Tenrikyo Mission Center in Thailand respectively. Furthermore, the International Net for Mutual Help started collecting contributions from the public for a relief fund designated for this particular disaster. Fundraising will continue until the end of February.