Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Formosa (Taiwan).

On September 19, Typhoon Fanapi struck southern Formosa as the most severe storm to hit the island this year. It brought major floods, with related disasters that cost three people their lives and injured 75 others.

Conveying her love and prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai had immediately requested that our Association members please help the storm-stricken, saying that funds were available for emergency needs. As per her instructions, our Association members from Formosa went the day of to render aid to the storm afflicted and reported the situation to Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Upon receiving details about the initial relief work, she asked that they please go check to see if additional help was needed and to continue the relief efforts as necessary. After investigating, two relief teams set out, with donations of approximately US$13,000 that were contributed by our Association members. The team in Kaohsiung County went to Kaohsiung Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages, which they had found to be the most severely affected school. Thankfully, President Ma Ying-jeou had personally gone to inspect the location and assigned the Ministry of Education and Kaohsiung City Government to assist as soon as possible, so no further help was needed.

(In Chinese)
President Ma Ying-jeou (M): Nowadays, climate change is a reality. So I’m here to support you. Please don’t feel discouraged. We will support you, okay? Let’s work together. We will support Kaohsiung City and work with you. Thanks, thanks, thanks. Let’s express our support for Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung! (Crowd: Go!) Kaohsiung! (Crowd: Go!) Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung! (Crowd: Go, go, go!)

VOICE: Meanwhile in the worst-hit Gangshan Township, shelters for stray animals were affected, particularly the Aranya Dog Sanctuary, where floodwaters had reached four meters high. Mr. Shyue-Ren Chen, who owned and ran the charity, had moved 400 dogs to higher grounds by himself, receiving multiple cuts and bruises in his efforts. Both he and the dogs remained stranded for two days with only a small amount of dog food and half a bottle of water before they were rescued. While the organization Animal Rescue Team Taiwan (ARTT) had offered to help Mr. Chen rebuild the sanctuary, the surviving dogs were still in need of medicine and foods. Our Association’s relief team quickly contacted Mr. Chen to convey Supreme Master Ching Hai’s love and thank him for his selfless care of the animals in need. After discussing the canines’ necessities, our Association members visited the sanctuary, bringing 40 packs of vegan dog food.

Mr. Chen Shiue-ren, Owner of the dog sanctuary (M): This is the first time a religious group, which is the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, come here to show concern. The concern from religious groups brings a bright hope to me. Here, I would like to send my deep gratitude, thank you!

Wu Ting-xu, Volunteer PR of Animal Rescue Team Taiwan (M): Today, we thank the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for their donation. Before, the dogs did lack foods and some materials. So today, after they sent goodies to the dogs, the dogs at least won’t go hungry. We are very grateful. Thank you!

Volunteers of Animal Rescue Team Taiwan: Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet! Yeah!

VOICE: We are grateful for the caring endeavors of President Ma Ying-jeou, Mr. Shyue-Ren Chen and such organizations as Animal Rescue Team Taiwan, as we also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her compassionate support and our Association’s relief teams for their diligent efforts. May Heaven bless the Formosan people and animals alike with a swift recovery of their regular daily lives, as humanity’s greater consideration for each other and the ecosphere helps stabilize our planet.

* For his caring rescue of hundreds of dogs in a time of disaster, Supreme Master Ching Hai is honoring Mr. Chen with the Shining World Hero Award, along with a US$10,000 donation for the Aranya Dog Sanctuary.