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

October torrential rains in the eastern Indonesian province of West Papua gave way to flash floods and landslides, claiming approximately 200 lives and leaving hundreds more injured. The government evacuated most survivors by boat, but food supplies were inadequate in the first days.

Conveying her sympathy and sorrowful prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai quickly donated US$10,000 and asked our nearest Association members to bring aid to the most affected. This amount could purchase US$116,000 in needed materials if obtained in the United States, based on Indonesia’s cost of living.

Our Association’s relief team from Jakarta, Indonesia, covering their own travel and related expenses of nearly US$2,900, flew to the storm victims’ camps in the West Papua town of Manokwari. In cooperation with the Indonesian Red Cross, the team prepared warm vegan dinners for the 700 being sheltered there and distributed hundreds of cleaning and sanitary items, as well as clean clothing, protective plastic mats, and supplies for infants.

In addition, prayer books, sports equipment, and 300 sets of school supplies and toys were provided so that the adult and child residents could resume some recreational and learning activities during the months that the government arranges temporary homes for them. In addition, having received the SOS flyer, many showed interest in learning more about how the plant-based diet could mitigate climate change impacts.

(In Indonesian)
Relief recipient (F): Thank you, Master Ching Hai, who has given us assistance in the form of school kits and baby kits. We thank you for your help.

Red Cross representative (M): We are the Red Cross of West Papua wanting to say thank you very much to Supreme Master Ching Hai who has helped in emergency response operations in Wondama and Manokwari. We want to express our great appreciation for her support.

VOICE: With appreciation to the Indonesian government and Red Cross, we also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her unconditional aid to the disaster affected, as well as our Association’s relief team for their caring work. With our sympathies to those who lost loved ones, we pray for the West Papua people’s return to stable lives and that our gentler regard for the environment helps bring a more peaceful atmosphere for all.