Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Pakistan.
A January 4 landslide in the northwestern village of Attabad, located on the banks of the Hunza River in Gilgit-Baltistan territory, caused 26 people to lose their lives and damage to at least 1,100 homes.

Freezing temperatures made conditions even harsher for those rendered homeless, who were relocated by the government in schools of a nearby village.

With sorrow and her heartfelt prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai asked our Association members go to comfort and help the affected, offering US$15,000 in emergency aid, an amount that could obtain US$268,000 in relief materials if bought in the United States, based on Pakistan’s cost of living.

Covering their own travel expenses of US$3,800, our Association’s relief team from Formosa (Taiwan) purchased supplies and were able to deliver 970 packages containing rice, flour, beans, salt, and cooking oil to the most afflicted residents.

The relief team also collaborated with local residents, the Pakistani Red Cross and representatives from All Green, who our Association members had worked with previously in Pakistan.

Abid Ali Shah – Secretary of All Green, Pakistan (M): I would like to thank Supreme Master for helping us, for helping our people, because her relief team comes another time.

VOICE: In addition, SOS flyers were distributed during the trip to share the importance of the vegan diet in minimizing disasters and global warming.

Tikka Khan – Hunza Community secretary, Pakistan (M): On behalf all the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the government, thank you for all that you have given to all IDPs.

VOICE: Our appreciation, regional Pakistani governments, Red Cross, All Green and others for your help in meeting the needs of the landslide-affected people.

We also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her extended care, and our Association’s relief team for their endeavors. We pray that the Pakistani villagers soonresume the regularity of their day-to-day lives, and that such tragic incidents are eased through the gentler treatment of our precious environment.