Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Guatemala. On September 25, Tropical Storm Matthew made landfall in Guatemala, bringing fierce winds that caused many rivers to overflow, and widespread damage, with Honduras and Nicaragua also severely affected. Over 10,000 people were evacuated to shelters as infrastructure, homes and crops were destroyed. Supreme Master Television’s correspondent brings more details.

(In Spanish)
Correspondent in Guatemala (F): We are in Pueblo Viejo de Santa Rosa in the Republic of Guatemala. There has been flooding in the last three weeks reaching the level of three meters above the level at which we are now, surpassing the level of the road.

Victim (M): For us here everything was destroyed.

Correspondent (F): All their crop fields, and coffee, pineapples have been damaged, and they have also been displaced to neighboring areas with relatives, etc. But they are always reluctant, they always want go home. As we can see here there are still vestiges of the waste water that has not finished drying.

Elderly victim (F): Many children do not have to eat, have no clothes, have no home.

VOICE: Expressing her deep concern and prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated US$20,000 to aid the affected countries, asking that our nearby Association members please go and help. Combined with a donation from our Association, the total contribution of US$21,030 could purchase US$247,000 in relief supplies if obtained in the United States, based on the region’s average cost of living. Our Association’s relief team from Costa Rica went to Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras to bring items such as water, food, and cleaning supplies. In Guatemala, the relief team visited one of the most affected areas, Santa Rosa, where many residents were forced to drink contaminated water. With the assistance of the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction and the Santa Rosa government, packages were prepared including drinkable water, rice, corn flour, black beans, cooking oil, sugar, and soy milk powder. These were then delivered to some 425 families across four villages.

Victim (M): Master Ching Hai, thank you for having donated the food. We thank with all our heart and God bless you!

Village leader – Santa Rosa (M): Master Ching Hai has sent us this donation. Tell her I am a humble man but a thousand thanks come from the heart, for remembering this suffering people in this community.

Correspondent (F): We are in Ciudad de Casa Vieja Santa Rosa, Republic of Guatemala reporting for Supreme Master Television.
VOICE: With appreciation for the kind assistance of the government officials, we also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her loving support of the Guatemalan people and our Association’s relief team for their caring efforts. As we pray for the flood victims’ safe recovery, may such extreme weather events subside through our gentler regard for the environment and fellow beings.