Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Formosa (Taiwan).
On August 7 and 8, Typhoon Morakot first struck with torrential rains and winds as the worst disaster in 50 years.
At least 70 people lost their lives, 1,000 were missing, hundreds injured and over 10,500 lost their homes.
Landslides completely buried villages, with hundreds being unaccounted for, including three rescue workers whose helicopter went down. By Wednesday, 900 survivors had been found, and the search continues.
With her condolence and love, Supreme Master Ching Hai requested our Formosan Association members to see they could help, offering US$30,000 to use as needed.
Supreme Master Ching Hai frequently asks for updates on disaster situations. With Master’s permission, we would like to share the following report.
August 9, 2009 Most beloved Master,
Re: floods in Formosa The powerful rain mainly pelted southern Formosa, with Pingtung and Taitung Counties being the worst-affected.
There were severe floods, collapsed structures and landslides in many places. Over 110,000 families are still waiting for the restoration of electricity.
In Pingtung, the excessive rainfall of around 2,000 millimeters caused 30,000 people to be surrounded by water and also isolated villages.
Fortunately the isolated victims have enough food support so far.
Floodwaters covered the first floors of buildings, and there is an urgent need of lifeboats.
On August 9, our Association members from Taichung and Tainan sent two of these for rescue operations.
The disaster command center also asked for our help in rescue efforts.
In Tainan and Jiayi, we sent drinking water and food to flooded areas and left our phone numbers in three emergency centers in case they need us.
Thanks to the Formosan government’s quick deployment of rescue teams, all seaside residents of Taitung were evacuated.
On August 8, our Association members from Taitung were hampered by a landslide as they tried to bring warming materials to the most affected village of Jialang, but were able to distribute the items along with SOS flyers to the nearest temporary shelter.
Thank you so much, Master for your immense love and deep concern all the time.
We’ll continue to check the latest situation of wherever there is need and whatever we could do for the flood victims.
Love from Centers in Formosa
We thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for allowing us to share these updates with our concerned viewers,
and our Association’s Foreign Group for providing this report.Our gratefulness Formosan government and all rescue personnel for your tireless endeavors to bring relief to the victims.
We especially thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her deep love extended to the vulnerable, and our Association’s relief team for their dedicated efforts. We mourn the lives lost as we pray for the protection of all disaster-struck persons.
May the Formosan people be blessed with a swift recovery as humanity’s shift towards compassionate ways helps ensure the Earth’s stability.