Development Frontiers International receives aid for Somalia from Supreme Master Ching Hai.
In late October 2009, flash floods from heavy rains struck the southwestern Somali town of El-Waq, displacing more than 15,000 residents. The local government and charities such as Development Frontiers International who were working in the region indicated that shelter material was urgently needed.
In addition, residents of the Somali capital of Mogadishu were still recovering from relentless rains in April and May that had left at least 6 perished and hundreds more who had already been enduring the difficulties of civil conflict and now needed emergency shelter from the storms.
For each of these calamities, Supreme Master Ching Hai had donated US$10,000 in supplies, with the total contribution of US$20,000 that could obtain US$1.6 million in goods purchased in the United States, based on Somalia’s cost of living.
In both cases, Supreme Master Ching Hai had asked that the monetary aid be given to Development Frontiers International if it were not possible for our Association members to go there and deliver assistance themselves.
As it became clear that the conditions were not yet stable enough for such travel, Supreme Master Ching Hai requested that the donated amount be sent to the aid organization for acquiring necessary supplies, including the shelter material requested for the El-Waq floods.
With Master’s permission, we would like to share the following letter of thanks from Executive Director Aden Abdulle of Development Frontiers International.
February 5, 2010
Dear Supreme Master Ching Hai:
On behalf of the members and Board of Development Frontiers International, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your kind donation of $20,000 to our Organization.
… It is with pleasure, that I acknowledge your kindness to help those who are less fortunate.… At the moment, we are focusing on the unfortunate peoples of South and Central Somalia, to deliver directly to them.
Yours respectfully, Aden Abdulle Executive Director
VOICE: We are grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for allowing us to share this letter and thank our Association’s Foreign Group for making it available.
Our appreciation, Development Frontiers International, for your dedicated assistance.
We are also thankful for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s loving support of the Somali people in their time of adversity.
With Heaven’s grace, may they be protected and comforted, as we strive to ease such situations through our more peaceful and compassionate lifestyles.