Relief news update from Somalia - 1 Nov 2009  
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Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Somalia.
Three days of relentless rains at the start of April brought floods through the western Somaliland region from the overflowing Wajale River.

At least two lives were lost and hundreds of families displaced. On April 7, Supreme Master Ching Hai offered US$10,000 in emergency support, asking if our Association’s relief team could go, or if not possible, to arrange to send the aid through the International Red Cross.

Another two days of torrential rains that began October 16 triggered flash floods in and around the Somali capital of Mogadishu, sweeping away many makeshift shelters.

Thousands of persons already displaced by civil war were rendered homeless, without food and in dire need of shelter from the cold and wet weather. Inadequate conditions also affected another 36,000 residents of the southern coastal city of Kismayo, making them vulnerable to mosquitoes and rain.

Meanwhile, relief access was limited by continued regional conflict. On October 20, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated an additional US$20,000 in aid. Expressing her deep sorrow and prayers for their well-being and soon recovered peace, she requested that the amount be donated to the Red Cross, the Red Crescent Society or any charity organization that could go there to help the afflicted Somali people. The combined US$30,000 donation could purchase an equivalent of over US$2 million in supplies in the United States, based on the cost of living in Somalia.

As per Supreme Master Ching Hai’s frequent requests for updates, the following is a report from our Association’s Foreign Group.

October 25, 2009
Most beloved Master,
Re: Donations for helping people in Somalia We thank Master for your everlasting love for the Somali people. On October 21, we received a letter of appreciation to Master for your US$10,000 donation for the flood victims in western parts of Somalia.

Re: Other relief funds for helping people in Somalia For the flood victims in Somali capital city of Mogadishu and city of Kismayo, we have given Master’s relief fund to Red Cross and the Red Crescent, and also conveyed Maser’s deep sorrow for the victims and prayers for their well being and quick restoration of a peaceful life.

We will report to Master once this process is complete.
Thank you so much, Master, for your love and enlightening guidance.
With all our love,
Foreign Group


VOICE: We appreciate Supreme Master Ching Hai’s permission to share these updates with our concerned viewers, and thank our Association’s Foreign Group for providing this report.

We are also grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for her wholehearted care of those in need. May Heaven protect the Somali people as they strive to resume the regularity of their day-to-day lives, and such distressing events lessen through humanity’s increased consideration for all beings.