Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Fiji.
On December 14, Cyclone Mick pummeled Fiji, triggering extensive flooding and powerful gale-force winds on the main island of Viti Levu. At least four people lost their lives and another 4,000 fled to 60 different evacuation centers as homes and crops were destroyed with trees uprooted, schools damaged and power lines felled, causing electricity loss throughout much of the region.

Mr. Rudra, Fijian Shop Owner:The people experienced a lot of floods inside their homes, and the property [was] damaged, everything…
Our Association Member: How high was the water here?
(Man raising arms to show water level.) So very dangerous for children, so you had to put them on the boat and go to the…
Fijian Cyclone Victim:…hall. And the current was very strong.
Relief Recipient, Fiji (M):We would like to thank you for your generosity and kind donation of the items that were given to us today and it will surely help us to recover and to get us on our feet.
Relief Recipient, Fiji (M):What we’ve received today, it’s a miracle on Christmas.
Mr. Rudra, Fijian Shop Owner (M):I would like to thank the Supreme Master Ching Hai for a wonderful task which indeed has provided the food packages to the needy people. I would like to thank the Supreme Master Ching Hai once again.
Group of Relief Recipients, Fiji:We really thank you Supreme Master Ching Hai for what you have done for us. We really appreciate it!

Conveying her heartfelt sorrow and prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai promptly asked that our nearby Association members please go to help and console those in need. She also offered assistance of US$10,000, an amount that could purchase US$125,000 in urgent supplies in the United States, based on Fiji’s cost of living.

Our Association’s relief team from Australia immediately traveled to Viti Levu, covering their own travel and related expenses of US$2,500. Once there, they happened to meet up with the owner of a supply shop, Mr. Rudra, who kindly offered for his staff to pack 720 parcels of items. These included rice, split peas, sugar, breakfast crackers, vegetable oil, instant noodles, refreshments for children and informative SOS flyers. Local disaster management officials informed the relief team that the urgent needs were near the national capital of Suva in Rewa Province and Navua District in the southern province of Serua.

With the help of local heads of council in the following days, the relief team was able to deliver packages to the most affected villages and settlements. In addition, materials such as DVDs, books and CDs of Supreme Master Ching Hai and about the vegan solution to global warming were given to the village elders
for distribution. The people eagerly and gratefully came to receive the gifts and supplies as soon as our Association members arrived at each destination. They expressed their deep thankfulness for Master’s love, saying it helped elevate the atmosphere. Our appreciation, Mr. Rudra and staff, as well as all local officials for your generous assistance during this relief work.

We are ever-grateful for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s heartfelt care of the vulnerable, as we also thank our Association members for their timely help. May Heaven bless the people of Fiji with a smooth recovery of their fulfilling day-to-day lives, as we strive to lessen such disasters through our kindness extended to all beings.