Relief News Update from Colombia - 26 Oct 2010  
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Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Colombia.

Since July, winter floods struck northwestern departments such as Sucre, leaving thousands of people stranded without food and threatened by waterborne illnesses.

(In Spanish)
Flood victim (F): The water reached the chest, here, the water, everything was submerged, the bed, bedroom, living room, everything in general.

Flood victim (F): We are very sad, because children are… getting sick a lot.

VOICE: Supreme Master Television reports from Sucre, Colombia.

Correspondent in Colombia (F): We are in Chaparral, in the department of Sucre, in Colombia, South America. More or less 3,000 families of the town have been affected and 5,000 families of the rural zone find themselves in the same situation. This is a very difficult situation, since they don’t have access to safe water, because their crops that are their livelihoods, such as cassava, yams, cotton, have been covered completely by water.

VOICE: Deeply concerned for the flood victims, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated US$15,000 on September 2 and asked our nearest Association members to please go and help the most vulnerable. This donation could acquire US$76,000 in urgent materials if obtained in the United States, based on Colombia’s cost of living. After purchasing food supplies in Bolivar department, including rice, beans, sugar, lentils, pasta, flour, and oil, our Association’s relief team traveled by boat to deliver the emergency packages to 920 families in need, along with SOS flyers explaining the vegan solution to stopping global warming- related disasters.

Relief recipient (F): Yes, we need these foods. We are extremely grateful. Thank you!

Young relief recipient (F): Thanks Master for the food.

Young relief recipient (M): We are grateful to you because you sent to us this aid. We send you any kisses and hugs! Relief recipients: Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!

Correspondent (F): Reporting for Supreme Master Television, from Chaparral, Sucre Department, Colombia.

VOICE: We are also grateful for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s loving support for the flood-affected in Colombia, as well as the dedicated efforts of our Association’s relief team. With our prayers for the stabilization of the villagers’ lives, may the day come soon that such calamities subside through humanity’s kinder lifestyles.