Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from China.
Late in June, Prefecture in Yunnan province was pounded by rainstorms of proportions unseen in a century, causing the Longquan Reservoir dam to overflow and inundating 11 villages in four towns of Malong County.
At least one person perished, 165 were injured and 55,000 total persons affected as 6,000 homes collapsed and 9,333 hectares, or 51% of the region’s crops were damaged.
Expressing her sorrowful prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately donated US$8,757 for our Association members to carry out relief work. This amount could acquire US$63,000 in emergency materials purchased in the United States, based on China’s cost of living. As per Supreme Master Ching Hai’s requests for updates, the following is a report from our Association’s Chinese relief team.
July 9, 2010
Re: Relief work in Malong County of Yunnan Province
Most Beloved Master, Although the local government began relief and rescue work immediately after the disaster, the situation was serious. Ruins could be seen everywhere, and Malong County literally became an “islet.”
Our local Association members were unable at first to contact the government about what relief was needed due to the disrupted transportation and damaged power supplies and communication links.
Upon speaking with the officials, we purchased non-GMO cooking oil and, accompanied by trucks, officers, and media reporters arranged by the government, set out to deliver the supplies to temporary shelters in two of the worst affected villages.
Our relief team was able to deliver two barrels of cooking oil to each of the 550 victim families, totaling 1,100 barrels. We then went a senior home with 53 lonely elderly residents and a disabled child, bringing another 40 barrels of cooking oil for them, as well as some cash assistance for each person.
The victims, who had been helplessly dealing with the disaster, were very happy to hear that our Association’s team was visiting them to bring Master’s relief goods.
Many were moved to tears, expressing their gratefulness again and again. The local government, leaders, and media reporters also expressed their appreciation.
Meanwhile, as many people were questioning why they had to face such extreme floods right after months of acute droughts, we thus explained to them about the tolls of global warming, highlighting the eco-friendly vegan lifestyle as the most effective solution.
We thank Master for your loving support.
China Relief Team
VOICE: Our gratefulness goes to Supreme Master Ching Hai for permitting us to share these details with our viewers, as well as to our Association’s Foreign Group for providing this report.
We send our appreciation to the Chinese governments and officials for their helpful assistance at this time.
Our thankfulness also to Supreme Master Ching Hai for her comforting care extended to the storm victims, as well as to our Association’s relief team for their diligent endeavors.
Our prayers are with the Chinese people for their smooth recovery as we look forward to the subsiding of such intensities through humanity’s more benevolent, eco-balancing ways.