TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The magnitude 7.2 earthquake off the coast of Hualien, Taiwan, on Wednesday (April 3) has brought the Tzu Chi Foundation into the international and digital spotlight in Japan.
The Taiwanese humanitarian organization's "Fuhui Privacy Screens," designed for disaster relief shelters, quickly gained admiration among Japanese netizens, propelling "Taiwan's shelters" to the top of Japan's X social media platform's hot search list. These screens are designed to provide solace and privacy to victims in communal shelters, sparking discussions about Taiwan's disaster response capabilities.
The Tzu Chi Foundation detailed the amenities of these shelters, describing the dark blue, enclosed tents set up at the Zhonghua National Primary School activity center. Accessed by lifting a flap, the tents are segmented for specific needs, with areas exclusively for women and special care, allowing for personalized accommodation. Inside, the shelters are equipped with "Fuhui Beds," for comfortable rest.
Testimonials from disaster-affected individuals like Lin Che-wei and Indonesian citizen Chang Han-li and his family underscored the importance of these privacy screens. Chang expressed deep appreciation for the provided privacy and security, which made his family feel "very secure."
This initiative is part of the Tzu Chi Foundation's broader strategy, developed following a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in Hualien in February 2018. Completed in 2019 from recycled, flame-resistant plastic, these screens have been widely adopted across Taiwan by 2020, underscoring a commitment to dignity in disaster.
