Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Mongolia.
Starting in January, hundreds of thousands of Mongolians were struck by extreme cold and blizzards, with temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees Celsius or more.

At least four human lives were lost and government officials, who made appeals for emergency food relief for the isolated villagers, continued to ask for help into the spring, as the herding communities suffered destitution. With heartfelt condolences and her prayers, in January Supreme Master Ching Hai had donated approximately US$10,000 and asked that our Mongolian Association members to please go help the most desperate.

Our Association’s relief team from Mongolia brought emergency vegan food supplies to vulnerable families in the Bayanchandmani Soum (county) of Töv province, with the help of local officials.

The relief team’s aid to the livestock herding families, who did not even have warm shelter, then continued, with the building of sturdy traditional houses.

Relief recipient (F): I am very grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai that she gave us this Ger (house) when we have been affected by the disaster.

VOICE: After being informed about the vegan way to protect themselves and the planet, many decided to be vegetarian and seek other livelihoods such as plumbing and carpentering.
 
Our Association’s relief team worked with them over time, providing them tools for plumbing and carpentry, as well as vegetable seedlings and skills so they could subsist on their own food gardens.

Former livestock herder turned vegetable farmer (F): Because I lost our livestock and cattle due to the disaster, I am thinking to plant vegetables to support my life.

There are many other people who have decided like this. I am very thankful to the Master. Thank you very much for your support to us for a better life.

Head of people's representative agency, Bayarnemekh.B – Bayanchandman, Mongolia (M): Through this TV, and on behalf of our local people and local government, I would like to say thank you very much to Master Ching Hai as well as her Association members in Mongolia.

VOICE: In gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai’s assistance over the past months, the local governor also declared May 12 of each year as the Supreme Master Ching Hai Day.

In an official ceremony, Bayanchandmani County Governor Batmunkh personally presented a certificate. Upon hearing this, Master was very moved and said: "humbly I thank the mongolian government. May heaven protect your people in this dire time and beyond."

Our appreciation to the governor and other regional officials for your work in bringing aid to fellow citizens. We also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her unconditional support as well as our Association’s relief team for their dedicated care. Our prayers for the Mongolian people’s stable and brighter future, and that such extreme weather subsides as we join in more caring stewardship of our shared planetary abode.