Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Brazil. In June, floods surged through the northeastern states of Pernambuco and neighboring Alagoas, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
While the Brazilian government quickly took initiatives to render aid, they were not able to reach all the afflicted due to the extent of the calamities.
Expressing her deep sorrow and prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated US$15,000 in emergency assistance, asking that our nearby Association members please go to help.
This amount could acquire US$68,000 in urgent supplies bought in the United States, based on Brazil’s cost of living. Covering their own travel and related expenses of approximately US$890, our Association’s relief team from Brazil assessed the situation and went to the areas most in need, starting with Pernambuco state.
In the city of Barreiro, officials estimated that some 14,000 people were homeless and 1,500 still missing in an area that was still covered in mud and debris.
Joined by local officer Colonel Neyff and a group of trained volunteers, our Association members collaborated with Deputy Mayor John Bosco for the distribution of urgently needed tents, sleeping mattresses, sheets, mineral water, vegan food, and personal hygiene products to the victims, as well as vegan food for the animals.
The relief team also went to the city of Palmares, which they found in utter destruction, and visited already underprivileged victims who had been resorting to eating food found in the contaminated mud. The flood-stricken people were very relieved to receive Supreme Master Ching Hai’s aid, and many related their accounts of the horrific ordeals they faced during the disaster.
Conveying Master’s love and comfort, our Association members gave them drinking water, vegan food that did not require cooking, personal hygiene supplies, tents, sleeping mats and sheets. All relief items were distributed in SOS bags containing information about the vegan solution to the devastating tolls of global warming.
The recipients expressed much gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai and our Association members for remembering them and travelling far to help.
Relief recipient (F): I want to thank,first of all, God; secondly, Master Ching Hai.
Our appreciation for the assistance of the local government personnel as we also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her heartfelt support extended to the disaster victims and our Association’s relief team for their selfless endeavors.
Wishing for the smooth recuperation of the Brazilian people and that such tragedies may be averted through humanity’s greater benevolence.
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