Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from India. At the start of October, torrential rains triggered floods in southeastern Karnataka and neighboring Andhra Pradesh states. At least 130 people perished as hundreds fled to rooftops and higher grounds to be rescued. Thousands more were rendered homeless after more than 40,000 houses were damaged. On October 2, conveying much sorrow and her prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated US$15,000 in aid for the most vulnerable, an amount that could purchase US$243,000 in items in the United States, based on India’s cost of living.
On October 9, our Association’s relief team from Formosa (Taiwan) went quickly to the city of Guntur, one of the most affected areas in Andhra Pradesh state, covering their own travel and related food and lodging expenses.
After speaking with the local Flood Control Center, they found that the government had already distributed rice and other necessities to every affected family. The team then headed toward the state’s third largest city of Vijayawada, where the Krishna River had overflowed, with 65 people who had lost their lives and millions who were forced to leave their homes for shelters.
On the way, our Association’s relief team stopped at three affected villages in the administrative area of Ibrahimpatnam, where they delivered relief packages to nearly 2,000 families in need, much to the recipients’ appreciation. At each stop, the team distributed SOS fliers to inform people of the urgent situation facing the planet and its vegan solution.
We are grateful for the timely initiatives of the Guntur government personnel. Our thankfulness also for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s loving comfort to the distressed, and to our Association’s relief team for their diligent efforts.
We pray for the soon recuperation of the Indian people to their productive regular lives, and that such devastating events subside through our more considerate, eco-friendly ways.
Please tune in to Supreme Master Television at a later date for further updates on this relief mission.
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