Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from China.

Starting in October 2010, China’s Hainan Island was deluged by its worst floods in a century, claiming at least three lives and affecting more than 2.7 million residents in over 1,100 inundated villages. When the conditions were first reported at the beginning of October, Supreme Master Ching Hai expressed her love and prayers as she donated US$15,000, requesting that our nearby Association members please go to assist those most in need. Along with contributions from our Association members, the total US$21,000 amount could obtain US$150,000 in necessities if bought in the United States, based on China’s cost of living.

Covering their own expenses of around US$900, our Association’s Chinese relief team traveled to Hainan Island. Working with local government officials and the Red Cross, they delivered aid to the worst-afflicted Wenchang City, before visiting the severely affected in Haikou City.

(Excerpts in Chinese)
Hongrui Qiu (邱宏锐), General Secretary of Hainan Red Cross Volunteer Club, Vice Director of Hainan Red Cross Volunteer Commission, China (M): We felt heavy hearted. We should say these kinds of disasters are made by people: the destruction of the environment directly led to the heavy rain.

Local resident 1, Fudao Village, Haikou City, Hainan Province, China (M): This place has never been flooded; for several hundred years it hasn’t been flooded. If only we could put our possessions at higher places. Who knew the flood would come all of a sudden; there was no way, it couldn’t be saved.

Correspondent (F): Now the villagers are showing us their water-soaked homes. You can see it. There is water everywhere.
 
Local resident 2 (M): My house is over there. (Correspondent (F): Can you go over there?) I can’t. There’s water everywhere, it’s deep. I can’t go over there by myself; I need to take that foam plastic boat to go. (Correspondent (F): How many people are there in your family?) Four. (Correspondent (F): Where are they now?) All of them moved out. (Correspondent (F): Are they evacuated safely?) Yes, evacuated safely; however, the furniture, etc. is all soaked, crops are flooded.

VOICE: In accordance with the victims’ needs, our Association’s relief team served 300 fresh vegan meals to the local residents, as well as distributing 600 quilts and tents, which they helped set up for the relief recipients who said it was just in time for plummeting temperatures.
 
Local resident 3, Fudao Village (M): Thank you for taking care of us; we appreciate it.

Local resident 3, Fudao Village (F): Thank you!

Relief recipient 1, Fudao Village (M): Thank you! (laughs in gratitude) We were suffering! You worked hard! Thank you!

Correspondent (F): Reporting for Supreme Master Television, from Hainan, China.

VOICE: We are grateful for the kind assistance of the Chinese government and Red Cross personnel as well as for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s loving care, and the selfless efforts of our Association’s relief team. Wishing the Chinese people a swift return to regular daily lives as we pray that our kinder actions toward the environment help ease such distressing events as these.