Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Chile.
Dozens of aftershocks have continued to trigger panic amongst the 2 million Chileans struggling to recover from the gigantic 8.8 magnitude temblor that triggered a tsunami wave and took nearly 800 lives on February 27.

As the world’s fifth most powerful earthquake ever registered, the temblor was so severe that, according to international experts, cities across Chile, Argentina and Brazil were literally moved to different locations.

Expressing her heartfelt sorrow and prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai had donated US$20,000 in urgent aid, asking that our local Association members please go as soon as conditions permitted to help most desperately stricken, including the orphaned and elderly without caregivers.

This amount could obtain US$63,000 in materials bought in the United States, based on Chile’s cost of living. Covering their own travel expenses of approximately US$720, our native Association members went to the San Antonio area, where they were personally welcomed by Mayor Omar Vera, who explained the situation.

San Antonio, Chile (M): Here the intensity was 8.2 on the Richter scale, with a 2-meter high tsunami wave that swept along the coastline, wiping out 168 summer holiday homes, where five people drowned.

Within the city, 1,700 homes were damaged of which 150 were totally destroyed and five high-rise buildings collapsed. Bridges also collapsed, with water and electricity also completely out.

But today, 5 days after this emergency occurred, San Antonio is once again standing, and the city is beginning to normalize. The important thing is that there is faith, that there is a will, there is hope to start again.

VOICE: After determining the communities most heavily impacted, the relief team prepared approximately 10 tons of emergency packages, including rice, pasta, oil, salt, water, sugar, tea herbs, matches, personal hygiene items, diapers, blankets, and chlorine. They distributed these to more than 750 families, or over 3,000 people, throughout the towns of Navidad, La Vega and Chorrillos.
 
Mayor Omar Vera, San Antonio, Chile (M): I want to thank the Association of Supreme Master Ching Hai, whose members have been present in San Antonio to support us with items, goods, medical supplies, and other elements that are highly needed to boost the morale of the San Antonines.

Thanks and testimony of a elder person child in Constitucion Elderly relief recipient, Chile (F): On behalf of my entire affected family I thank you very much. Supreme Master Ching Hai, I thank you very much with all my heart.

VOICE: Our appreciation, all governments, organizations, and individuals extending help to the quake-affected in Chile. We also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her wholehearted support of those most in need, as well as our Association’s relief team for their sincere efforts.

As we pray for the swift recuperation of the Chilean people, may such devastating situations be alleviated through our gentler regard of all beings.