Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Haiti.
It has been almost two months since the 7.0-magnitude earthquake caused devastating loss and overturned the lives of over a million people on January 12.

Yet the struggle continues for many Haitians making efforts to recover amidst a lack of supplies, shelter and other basic living necessities.

Though the situation is further worsened by the imminent arrival of the rainy season, the Haitian people maintain an admirable resiliency in getting by with what little they have.

Supreme Master Television: Here is yet another example of resourcefulness. The Haitian people have taken bags of flour, of rice, of sugar. They’ve sewn them together and they’ve made a tent out of, what seems to be five or six bags of goods that probably somebody delivered to bring their food, and they’ve made a tent. I mean it’s not very solid, it will shield them a little bit from sun, definitely not from water, not for a very long time.

But at least for now they have something, that they were able to reuse. It’s very resourceful and very, ingenious in the way it’s been put together.

VOICE: Supreme Master Ching Hai, who has been closely monitoring Haiti’s situation, recently added another US$40,000 to her previous contributions of US$94,000 as she asked for more tents for the homeless.

Combined with donations from our global Association members, the total US$511,000 could obtain US$18.2 million in aid purchased in the United States, based on the cost of living in Haiti.

Meanwhile, our Association’s relief team members continue to arrive, most covering their own travel expenses, to provide medical and surgical care as well as bring supplies such as pain medication, also per Supreme Master Ching Hai’s request.

As Supreme Master Ching Hai often asks for updates, the following is a report from our Association's relief team in Haiti.


VOICE: We thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for allowing us to bring this update to our viewers, and our Association’s Foreign Group for sharing this report. We now join our correspondent in Haiti, who describes the arrival of the first shipment of tents.

Supreme Master Television Correspondent, Adventiste Hospital (F): Welcome to the Adventiste Hospital in Diquini, Haiti. We are here with our relief team. We just arrived with our tents. It was a long process. So we’re really happy because on top it’s a rainy day so they really need those tents.

VOICE: Many eager volunteers came to unload the trucks, including Dominican Republic Civic Defense personnel and Haitians of all ages. Indeed, throughout our Association member’s efforts, relief recipients and fellow aid workers alike have expressed delight in receiving Master’s loving assistance.

Moreover, the relief team members themselves are grateful for the opportunity to meet and gain valuable lessons from the Haitian people.

Our Association relief team member, cooking team, Adventiste Hospital, Haiti (M): Just the experience of Haiti itself, the people from Haiti, have taught me so much about appreciating what you have and...

Seems like it takes a lot to really get them down and they’re a very proud group of people. They respect themselves and love each other and help each other out.

You know, when we’re passing out food it’s like they keep passing to other people behind them and they’re so spiritual and so compassionate, kind. They’re all singing and dancing and yet, you know they may have lost their whole family or they may have lost their home or… I don’t know, I just…the experience of the people themselves here have really taught me a lot.

VOICE: We are grateful for the help of all nations, personnel, and individuals working in Haiti. Our thankfulness also for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s comforting support to the vulnerable, and for the sincere endeavors of our Association’s relief team.

As we pray for the continued restoration of the Haitian people, may humanity’s gentler care of the ecosphere also renew our planetary stability.