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

In late June, over 30 lives were lost as hurricane Alex descended upon Mexico. There were 15 fatalities in northeastern Nuevo León state alone, where floods heavily affected infrastructure and caused 61,000 people to lose power.

Conveying her deep condolences and prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai had donated US$15,000, an amount that could obtain US$53,000 in emergency materials purchased in the United States, based on Mexico's cost of living, while asking that our nearby Association members please go to render aid. Upon investigation, our Mexican Association members learned that the Anáhuac municipality in Nuevo León had been inundated, with 300 families who had to evacuate as they lost their homes and furniture to waters released from a regional dam that had been in danger of overflowing.

As soon as conditions allowed, the relief team travelled through the continued torrential rains to Anáhuac. There, officials from the city's Water and Drainage management guided them to the shelter in which most of the storm-afflicted were housed.

With the kind offer of help from the 7th Area State Military Nuevo León personnel, the relief team was able to distribute vegan food supplies, soy milk, water, shelter canopies, blankets, clothes, diapers, mattresses and other personal necessities.

The recipients were overwhelmed with gratitude for Supreme Master Ching Hai's special aid, with some who could not help their tears as they thanked her for remembering them. As informative SOS fliers on the vegan solution to stabilize such catastrophes were also given out, the residents also expressed a sense of comfort upon realizing they could do something to help the environment, as many were in desperate situations, having lost their homes.

Our Association members continue to monitor the situation to see if more help is needed. Our appreciation goes to the Mexican officials and military personnel for their ready assistance. We also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her heartfelt aid to the storm-stricken and our Association's relief team for their diligence and care.

Our prayers for the smooth recovery of the Mexican people to productive regularity as such devastations are alleviated through humanity's increased benevolence toward each other and the ecosphere.