In China, 救灾 (jiùzāi) is a concept of immense social and political importance. The response to a natural disaster is often seen as a direct measure of the government's competence and its commitment to the people. This is deeply connected to the cultural value of collectivism. A famous proverb that encapsulates this spirit is 一方有难，八方支援 (yī fāng yǒu nàn, bā fāng zhīyuán), which translates to “When one place has difficulties, help comes from all eight directions.” This reflects the societal expectation that the entire nation—from the central government and the military down to ordinary citizens and corporations—will mobilize swiftly and massively to support the affected area (灾区 - zāiqū). Compared to “disaster relief” in the West, which often highlights the work of NGOs, charities, and individual fundraising, the Chinese concept of 救灾 places a much stronger emphasis on the centrally-organized, state-led response. The speed and scale of deployment of resources and personnel, particularly the People's Liberation Army (PLA), is a point of national pride and is extensively covered in state media as a symbol of national unity and strength.
救灾 (jiùzāi) is a formal and standard term used across various contexts.
A very common mistake for learners is to use 帮助 (bāngzhù), the general word for “to help,” in the context of a disaster. While technically not wrong, it's far too weak and informal.
This is a more subtle but important distinction.