Disaster relief strategies of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation: A case study of the 2024 Hualien Earthquake in Taiwan

Following the 2024 Hualien Earthquake, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation (Tzu Chi) assumed a primary role in managing the disaster response. This study aimed to examine the organisational and contextual factors that enabled Tzu Chi to make such a significant contribution to disaster relief efforts. We conducted two semi-structured group interviews with Tzu Chi personnel: one with two officials from the Central Response Centre and another with three volunteers who supported on-site relief activities. Using thematic analysis, five main themes were extracted: disaster relief management; organisational capacity; collaboration across multiple levels of government; routine activities during non-disaster periods; and attitudes toward relief activities. Findings showed that Tzu Chi strategically coordinated volunteer deployment considering workload and psychological well-being. Its large pool of volunteers and abundant material resources enabled it to assume multiple roles during the emergency. Well-established public–private partnerships between Tzu Chi and the government also facilitated effective cooperation. Additionally, volunteer activities routinely conducted during non-disaster periods were effectively adapted to disaster relief operations. Finally, Tzu Chi volunteers placed strong emphasis on providing psychological support to disaster victims. These organisational characteristics and value-based practices offer valuable insights for countries that have experienced management challenges in past disaster responses.