Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from China.
Since late April, landslides, mud flows and floods in Hunan province claimed the lives of three people as continuous rains caused the Xiang River to overflow.
Approximately one million residents across 27 counties were affected as over 4,600 homes collapsed and 40,000 hectares of farmland were inundated.
Sending her sympathies and prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated an initial US$5,850 for our nearby Association members to render necessary aid and US$10,000 after for more urgent necessities to the most vulnerable.
Per Supreme Master Ching Hai’s request for updates, the following is a report from our Association's Chinese relief team. May 6, 2010
Re: Disaster Relief in Hunan Province Most Beloved Master,
After arriving at the seriously affected Hengnan County, local government officers accompanied us to first visit the town of Liaotian, where 27 families had completely lost their homes and some 700 others were affected
by various degrees of damage.
In accordance to the victims’ needs, we immediately purchased 164 10-kilogram bags of rice and 47 5-liter barrels of cooking oil.
Local leaders helped us distribute the relief goods by car to families most in need who resided at a far distance from each other.
We also gave an injured man who had no family support a cash donation to help cover his medical costs. While there, we met another man with children who was burdened by economic pressures and the difficulties of his wife’s mental disease.
After receiving Master’s cash donation, he was greatly encouraged. His wife also suddenly calmed, showing a peacefulness not seen for a long time, which moved one of the government officers to tears.
We explained the importance of the vegan lifestyle, which some of the government officers promised to adopt in future. We then went to the town of Guanxi and purchased 360 10-kilograms bags of rice and 66 5-liter barrels of cooking oil, which were then distributed to the 66 hardest-hit families, as well as the leader of Nanyue village.
We also handed out flyers on the vegan lifestyle, as well as the book “Say No to Meat Food,” which the local people were very happy and grateful to receive.
In cooking two vegan lunches for the community, local village leaders expressed their joyful surprise, saying, “Wow, the vegan food can be so delicious!”
Some also promised to promote veganism to foster the healthy and virtuous way of life.
During the whole relief work, we could strongly feel Master’s love, which uplifted the recipients’ spirits.
We hope all people could adopt the merciful vegan lifestyle to solve the tolls of global warming.
China Relief Team
Supreme Master Ching Hai sent the following message to the relief team:
Caring Noble Hearts, Thank you for your loving dedication.
May Heaven protect China!
VOICE: Our appreciation for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s permission us to share these details with our viewers, and to our Association’s Foreign Group for providing this report.
We thank all the Chinese officials and leaders for their assistance in the humanitarian efforts. Our thankfulness also goes to Supreme Master Ching Hai for her far-reaching care and support for the vulnerable, and for the diligent endeavors of our Association’s relief team. With Heaven’s blessings, may the Chinese people swiftly recover the contentment of day-to-day life as such devastating conditions are alleviated through our greater consideration for each other and the environment.