Rebuilding From the Ashes: Emergency Relief Aid for Camp Fire Survivors

National Headquarters | November 28, 2018

After The Flames: Camp Fire Survivors Still in Need of Aid

The Camp Fire’s increasing death toll has risen to 88, and 203 people are still missing since Monday, Nov. 26, a day after the deadliest and most destructive blaze in state history was fully contained. The fire burned for 17 days, destroying more than 153,300 acres of homes and communities.

Even though the fire is contained, the nightmare is far from over for displaced and homeless residents. Many of these impacted individuals have been forced to set up tents in the freezing outdoors or in parking lots of shelters.

November Updates

From Nov. 9 to Nov. 25, the Tzu Chi Relief team provided 2,260 survivors of the devastating wildfire in Tent City, Chico and Paradise, California with 898 cash cards totaling $495,400 in emergency monetary aid, and 2,577 eco-blankets made from recycled plastic bottles to warm their bodies and hearts during this difficult time.

Amy, an aid recipient, expressed her gratitude for the generosity and kindness from Tzu Chi Relief volunteers: “Please say thanks to your master for putting people before money.”

On Thanksgiving Day, Tzu Chi Relief volunteers dedicated their holiday to be on site in Chico, California managing stations at a Disaster Recovery Center to ensure that survivors received the financial aid and emotional support they needed to recover from this natural disaster.

Bobbie Rae Jones, a Tzu Chi Volunteer, explains the importance of being physically present to assist others in need: “This isn’t the year to just stay home. This is the year to be out in my community and helping them, and that’s really important to me.”

How You Can Help: Hope Heals

Join our global mission to heal with the power of hope. Help us reach our goal of assisting 10,000 families whose homes have been completely destroyed by the Camp Fire with a 1-to-1 match from 10,000 donors just like you. A donation of $500 will help a family of up to two, $600 will help a family of up to four, and $800 will help families of five or more members.

Small contributions will go a long way. Your generous donation will spark hope in survivors, and ensure their journey to recovery will be a swift and successful one. All donations made will directly aid these families via cash cards from Tzu Chi USA.

Together let’s create a universal movement of hope, love and kindness to ease the suffering of these survivors.