Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Hainan, China.
Beginning October 1, China’s southern island province of Hainan was deluged by its heaviest rains in decades, flooding over 1,160 villages in 16 of 18 total cities and counties and forcing the evacuation of more than 440,000. Later that month, another bout of torrential precipitation brought the number of affected residents to over 2.7 million, with three people who perished. More than 3,000 homes collapsed and 170,000 hectares of crops were inundated, including 74,000 that were completely destroyed. Transportation, power supplies and reservoirs were also seriously damaged.
Upon knowing of the initial distress in the region, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated US$15,000, sending her love and prayers, and requested that our nearby Association members go, if possible, to assist the vulnerable flood victims. Including contributions from our Association members, who quickly began the relief efforts, the combined US$19,000 donation could obtain US$136,000 in emergency supplies purchased in the United States, based on China’s cost of living. As per Supreme Master Ching Hai’s requests for updates, the following is a report from our Association’s Chinese relief team.
November 8, 2010
Re: Relief Work in Hainan Province
Most Beloved Master,
According to Master’s instruction, our Hainan Association members contacted the local government and volunteers about the disaster, while urgently sending 120 cartons of vegan instant noodles as an initial delivery to reach the flood affected in Haikou in a timely fashion. To address the victims’ needs, we then purchased quilts, rice, cooking oil, and tableware for further deliveries. Our Association members were joined by five friends and seven student volunteers from Hainan University who helped load the relief materials on trucks. Arriving at the heavily-hit Huiwen town in Wenchang, we initially could not get into the villages because the rain was too heavy. Concerned for our safety, some governmental officers advised us to drop off the relief materials in a central location. However, guided by one of the government workers, we took an alternate route through the fields and were eventually able to reach the villagers directly. With God’s blessings, we were able to deliver the relief goods under clear skies to several hundred victims in five affected sections, after which the rain began again! Our local Association members then organized into several teams and continued to bring supplies to the worst hit areas, including in Wenchang, Qionghai, Haikou, and Wanning, through October 30. They visited victims in schools, shelters, and devastated villages, as well as elderly and remote families. Apart from daily necessities, we also gave some monetary assistance to those from less privileged backgrounds. The relief recipients each expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the relief goods and Master’s love. We, too, thank Master for her compassionate care, which also gave our Association members much strength and hope.
Relief Team in China
Supreme Master Ching Hai sent the following reply: Thank you for your love to the unfortunate. May Heaven protect China. My love and prayers are with you and your people.
Our appreciation goes to Supreme Master Ching Hai for allowing us to share these details, as well as to our Association’s Foreign Group for providing this report. We are grateful for the assistance of the Chinese officials and other volunteers as well as for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s unconditional aid that helps comfort the disaster-stricken and the diligent efforts of our Association’s relief team. May the Chinese people be graced with a smooth recuperation of their regular day-to-day lives as our gentler regard for the environment helps restore the Earth’s balance.
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