Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news from Bangladesh.
Severe monsoons at the end of July 2011 set off flooding that swept through at least 200 villages in Cox’s Bazar and other districts of southern Bangladesh.

At least six people perished, including a child who succumbed to a mudslide, while over 10,000 people were forced to evacuate and seek refuge in storm shelters and other more elevated locations.

Upon hearing of the extreme conditions, Supreme Master Ching Hai had donated US$10,000, an amount that could purchase US$279,000 in urgent necessities if obtained in the United States, based on the cost of living in Bangladesh.

Expressing all her love and sorrowful prayers, she asked that our nearby Association members please go to render help to those most in need.

Covering their own travel and related expenses of US$3,500, our Association’s relief team from Formosa (Taiwan) arrived in Bangladesh, where they met up with local Association members.

After discussing the disaster situation with the mayor of Cox’s Bazar and local chiefs, they immediately went to a remote, low-lying region to visit the most severely affected.

The homes of these already less fortunate inhabitants had been battered, with hygienic conditions that had become deplorable due to the flooding.

Relief recipient, Teknaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (M): Water comes from the hills, and sea also. Houses broken, and five people died. Then we have many damages. The poor people very lost.

VOICE: The relief team prepared 1,000 packs of relief materials, which included rice, potatoes, utensils, washing powder, tooth paste, and toothbrushes.

They distributed 400 in Teknaf Upazila, 300 in Ukhia Upazila, and 300 in Ramu Upazila, while conveying Supreme Master Ching Hai’s caring support to the victims.

They also gave local residents and officials SOS climate change flyers, which were warmly received by Bangladeshi people as they understood about the vegan solution to such weather extremes.

They also expressed their gratitude for Supreme Master Ching Hai's love and help.

Relief recipient, Teknaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (M): Many, many thanks to the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.
Thank you very much. Thank you very much from our country and from us. Very, very thank you.

Deputy Commissioner, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (M): I’m very glad that the Supreme Master Ching Hai have come here to help our people who are affected in the flood.
And we heard the slogan that “Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet!” This is a good slogan. It will save our planet from climate change. So as the deputy commissioner for Cox’s Bazar, I again thank you for your activities. Thank you very much.

Senior Official, Ukhia Upazila, Bangladesh (M): Thank you Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.

VOICE: We join in gratefulness for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s unconditional aid, as well as our Association’s relief team for their selfless endeavors.

We pray for the smooth recovery of the Bangladeshi people to daily regularity as humanity strives to foster a kinder, stabilized ecosphere.