Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Indonesia.
Beginning in early February 2010, southern Bandung Regency in West Java was deluged by heavy rains, with Bale Endah and Dayeuhkolot sub-districts being particularly hard hit.

Floodwaters from the overflowed Citarum River inundated at least 6,000 homes, forcing residents to flee to higher grounds, where many sought refuge in government office buildings or on roadsides.

Moreover, at least 17 people perished in a landslide, and daily activities in Dayeuhkolot were brought to a standstill as floodwaters reached up to 200 centimeters.

Expressing her heartfelt sorrow and prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai had asked that our nearby Association members go to assist the storm-affected, saying that funds were available as necessary.

Covering their own travel and related expenses of US$2,500, our Association members traveled to the affected area and met with the local Red Cross who expressed their gladness for assistance with meal preparation.

They thus formed a cooking team to purchase supplies and prepare vegan meals to the storm victims. In two days, they served 7,400 hearty plant-based meals of rice, soy meat alternative and vegetables.

SOS flyers on the vegan solution to the disasters of climate change were also distributed. The head of the local Red Cross was very happy to find a soy meat substitute that is healthy and affordable as well as very safe to store and easy to stock for distribution, saying that he planned to use it for future relief work.

In addition, two of our Association members who are physicians helped provide medical services to 200 refugees, with the Red Cross offering necessary medicines.

After the floodwaters subsided on March 6, the relief team delivered 400 cleaning kits consisting of mops, brooms, buckets, brushes, soap and antiseptic agents.

They then worked with the storm victims in cleaning their homes so they could move back in. The relief recipients as well as government representatives and the mayor of Bandung Regency expressed their thanks for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s caring aid and our Association’s assistance.

We send our earnest appreciation, Indonesian Red Cross, for your open-hearted welcome and valued assistance.

We are also grateful for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s compassionate support to those in need and we thank our Association’s relief team for their diligent efforts.

Wishing the Indonesian people a smooth recovery of their fulfilling daily lives and that such situations are alleviated through humanity’s more caring regard for all beings.