UN CSW70 Parallel Forum: BLIA Shares How Women’s Strength Sustains Hope in Times of Disaster

During the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) hosted an online parallel forum on March 13 under the theme “From Disaster to Hope—Recognizing the Power of Women.” The forum shared experiences from relief efforts and post-disaster reconstruction following last year’s Myanmar earthquake with participants around the world.

When disasters strike, people often first see collapsed buildings and displaced families. Yet amid the ruins, another force quietly emerges. Women who protect lives, care for families, and unite their communities to restore order in times of crisis, gradually transforming despair into hope.

The forum was moderated by Mabel Lam, Director of the BLIA United Nations Development Committee, and brought together representatives from religious, academic, medical, media, and government sectors. Speakers shared experiences ranging from frontline search and rescue and medical assistance to community rebuilding and educational support, demonstrating the collaborative humanitarian efforts of both monastic and lay members.

In a video message, Most Venerable Hsin Bao, President of the BLIA World Headquarters, stated:

“Although impermanence is a reality of the world, the kindness and compassion within human hearts are the fundamental forces that rebuild hope after disaster.”

He noted that Fo Guang Shan, BLIA, and the Sin Chew Daily Foundation promptly contacted the Myanmar embassy to initiate relief operations, embodying the spirit that “while nature may be indifferent, humanity is filled with compassion.”

Venerable Chueh Pei, Secretary-General of the BLIA World Headquarters, emphasized that many disasters are closely linked to overdevelopment and the misuse of resources. Therefore, disaster relief should not be limited to post-crisis assistance, but must also address the root causes by transforming human values. She stressed that relief efforts should not remain at the “downstream” level of remediation, but must also work “upstream” by cultivating values such as cherishing resources, respecting nature, and reducing greed, thereby restoring harmony between humanity and the Earth. She also introduced BLIA’s long-standing “4-in-1 Relief Program,” which integrates search and rescue, medical care, material support, and humanitarian care, enabling swift and comprehensive responses.

Venerable Jue Cheng, Vice Secretary General Southeast Asia of the BLIA World Headquarters, pointed out that post-disaster reconstruction is not only about rebuilding homes, but also about preserving educational opportunities for children. He stated: “We do not engage in politics or religious conflicts. Our sole goal is to ensure that children can receive an education.”

BLIA plans to arrange for school principals and monastery abbots from Myanmar to visit Taiwan or Malaysia for educational exchange, and to provide promising students with opportunities for further education, hoping they will return to serve their communities.

Venerable Yung Gu, Vice Secretary General America East of the BLIA World Headquarters, shared that the driving force behind BLIA members’ willingness to serve in disaster zones comes from faith and the compassionate vow to relieve suffering. It is this compassion that enables them to transcend boundaries of nationality, language, and ethnicity, putting into action the spirit of humanitarian relief.

Venerable Zhi Xuan from Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple recounted experiences of joining relief missions in Myanmar. The team visited multiple monasteries, distributing supplies and reconstruction funds among the rubble, while doctors provided free medical services. She reflected: “We may not be able to help everyone, but we strive to do our utmost to accompany them through their most difficult times.”

Dr. Chin Kin Fah, who has long been engaged in medical education in Myanmar, shared that during his first visit to Mandalay, the streets were filled with tents as people slept outdoors due to aftershocks, and many children lacked basic living conditions. However, during his second visit, newly built homes were gradually completed, and children were finally able to sleep safely in their own houses.

Venerable You Lin, Director of the UN NGO United Nations Office of the BLIA World Headquarters, noted that both natural and human-made disasters have become shared global challenges. Natural disasters are intensifying due to environmental degradation and climate change, while human-made disasters stem from conflict, violence, and poverty. Referencing Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s concept of integrating “spiritual and environmental protection,” she emphasized that ecological sustainability requires collective effort, while spiritual sustainability requires individuals to purify their body, speech, and mind.

Siew Nyoke Chow, Vice Chair of the Sin Chew Daily Foundation, stated that humanitarian aid must transcend national, ethnic, and religious boundaries, as compassion for suffering is universal. She shared that through the guidance of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, she encountered Buddhist teachings, which helped her remain steady and composed when facing life, death, and adversity.

During the forum, Venerable May Dar Wei, abbess of Dharmawiharri in Mogok, shared updates on reconstruction progress via video. Lim Hui Ying, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development of Malaysia, noted that women are not only caregivers within families but also key leaders within communities, building support networks and protecting children and the elderly in times of crisis.

In the final Q&A session, a participant asked what sustained relief workers during the darkest moments in Myanmar. Venerable Chueh Cheng responded: “In darkness, if each person lights a candle, even a small flame, together they can illuminate the world.”

These small lights remind us that disaster is not only an ending, but also the beginning of hope.