Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Australia.
On November 6, floods in northern New South Wales left nearly 5,000 people stranded in the towns of Bellingen and Bowraville. As 200 millimeters of rain poured in the area in just 24 hours, Ministry officials warned residents to be prepared for more frequent and severe storms in the area, triggered by global warming.
On November 7, Supreme Master Ching Hai quickly donated US$10,000 for essential aid to the most vulnerable. She also sent the following message: "I am sorry to hear of the sad situation and impending future changes. My prayers are with the people of Australia."
As Supreme Master Ching Hai often requests updates, our Association members from Australia have provided the following report via Foreign Group.
November 11, 2009
Most beloved Master,
Re: Flood around Coffs Harbour area, Mid North Coast of Australia We have contacted various government and volunteer relief agencies and found that the situation is not as serious as the previous floods last May.
A number of people were rescued from rising waters, but there is no one missing.
Thank Master for your kind offer; however it is not necessary this time. A SES (State Emergency Service) representative told us that the main area of flooding around Coffs Harbor has not been too bad, and that the State Disaster Recovery Center said they have everything in control.
Minister Steve Waan has declared Coffs Harbour, Nambucca and Bellinger Shires natural disaster areas, qualifying them for State government funding for infrastructure repairs. Also, we heard that many residents who did not receive the AUS$1000 relief amount from the government during the last floods in May can now apply for this amount.
Thank you again, Master, for your love and concerns for the Australian people.
Association members from Mid North Coast, Australia
VOICE: We thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for permitting us to share this information with our global audience, and our Association’s Foreign Group for providing this report. Our appreciation, government and relief personnel, for your timely actions. We are also grateful for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s wholehearted care to the vulnerable, and for our Association members’ initiatives. May such weather extremities lessen as more people join in fostering a kinder, stabilized ecosphere.