The ceremony,in which the ARC signed its first MOU with an Asian organization, was held at Tzu Chi's Guandu Complex and was attended by executives of the foundation's chapters in the United States, as well as by commissioners and volunteers.
Stephen Huang, CEO of Tzu Chi's Global Affairs, said that "the signing of the MOU with the ARC symbolizes an important milestone in the history of international relief."
"We at Tzu Chi have at last been officially recognized by the 126-year-old ARC, and we will make more efforts in very close cooperation with the ARC to conduct more humanitarian aid in the future," Huang said.
William Keh, chief executive officer of the foundation's U.S. headquarters, said that through the hard work of the Tzu Chi volunteers "we can still see where the hope is."
Noting that Tzu Chi usually associates humanism with its relief work, while the ARC is a professional organization with experience and expertise in relief work, Keh expressed hope that the partnership will not only reduce damage or casualties in any calamity but will also provide victims with better services.
"There are many things that the Tzu Chi U.S. chapters can learn from the ARC, and the signing of the MOU is therefore very meaningful," said Keh, who returned to Taiwan especially for the ceremony.
Commending the foundation as well as its humanitarian works, Juliet Choi, senior director of the ARC's disaster services, said the ARC also needs to learn from the experiences of Tzu Chi.
"Even though we are 126 years old, we have so much to learn from you," Choi said, expressing hope that the partnership between the ARC and Tzu Chi will help "enhance bilateral coordination, cooperation and communication."
Although both Tzu Chi and the ARC are charitable organizations, Choi said that "our services, our commitment, our strength and our volunteers really do compliment one another."
"We have much more to do together," Choi went on, noting that in the future, the two organizations will cooperate in the aspects of preparation for humanitarian assistance,tackling sudden catastrophes, and in reconstruction of disaster areas.
The Tzu Chi Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1966 by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in Hualien, on the east coast of Taiwan.
It contributes to the improvement of social and community services, medical care, education and humanism in Taiwan and around the world.
Tzu Chi USA, based in Los Angeles, is divided into nine chapters administering 62 branches in 28 U.S. states.
