Stefania Cerruti

In disaster studies, “disaster communities” are those who went through a natural or human-made disaster that did not destroy them but reinforced their resilience.

The etymology of the word “disaster” refers to breakdowns of natural or social harmony. As Madam Yu demonstrated, women have an essential role in preventing and rectifying them.

The 2006 UN Guidelines on human rights and natural disasters emphasized the priority of freedom of religion or belief even in extreme situations.

Relief provided by religious and spiritual groups plays an important role in the aftermath of earthquakes. It is also part of the history of Tai Ji Men.

The 1897 fire that destroyed the “Bazar de la Charité” was one of the saddest tragedies in European history. It still has something to teach us.

When disasters hit, free media can save lives. Fake media and news can cause more casualties. The same is true for the disasters caused by religious persecution.

The political consequences of a 1931 incident in Vilnius, when a Polish student died trying to rescue a drowning Jewish child, demonstrate that friendship may change the course of history. We hope this will also happen in the Tai Ji Men case.

The modern study of disasters confirms that even in natural catastrophes the corrupted bureaucrats’ lack of conscience play a destructive role.