Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Haiti. Starting
on Friday, February 12, the Haitian people gathered for three days of
mourning for the more than 230,000 people who perished in the January
12 earthquake.
Haitian President René Préval joined fellow
co-citizens to honor them in prayer. Deeply concerned for the survivors
since the initial disaster, Supreme Master Ching Hai had responded with
donations totaling US$60,000 as she urged the medical professionals of
our Association to help with such needs as emergency surgeries.
Later
she asked for the purchase of effective pain medicines, followed by a
most recent request to provide the victims with tents to shelter from
rain.
Combined with funds from our worldwide Association
members, the current US$293,000 contribution could acquire US$10.5
million in supplies in the United States, based on Haiti’s cost of
living.
Covering most of their own travel expenses, our
Association’s relief teams in Haiti have been reaching out to
orphanages and remote areas with much-needed food.
Meanwhile,
at the major Adventist hospital in Carrefour, our medically trained
relief team members continue to see an endless line of injured and sick
patients.
Association member, Pediatric physician (F): A
19-day-old girl after the earthquake hasn’t been fed anything. The
mother has no milk, mom had no money. She didn’t even drink water, she
is so malnourished. We have fortunately saved many babies that we
couldn’t believe they were alive. (Treating baby; speaking with baby’s father in French) He ate?
Association member (F): And now they’re really happy and smiling and awake, and you pass by and they blow kisses at you, and that’s great!
Association member (F):
There are many children, many sick people, they need help, and we have
been able to do that for them. It’s such a great feeling. Everything is
worth being here.
Not being able to sleep, not being able
sometimes to bathe, but you don’t care. I really have to thank Master
for this great opportunity that she has given me.
Father (M): Thank you.
VOICE:
We appreciate the world governments, groups and volunteers for all your
efforts to help the quake-affected people. Our gratefulness as well for
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s ongoing concern for the victims, and for our
Association’s diligent relief team. May Heaven’s grace be with the
faithful Haitians as they recover and we pray that such tragedies are eased through humanity’s care for all beings.
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