Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from the Philippines.

On November 4, days of heavy rains due to Typhoon Juan affected 145,000 people across five provinces, including northern Cagayan Province where the floods were declared to be the worst in history. At least 11 people lost their lives.

(In Tagalog)
Victim (F): We’re very surprised by the sudden flooding; the water entered the house suddenly. The water was up to my neck when I was able to escape. Even our dog has just returned home today. I wonder how our life will be, especially because the price of rice has increased.

(In English)
Edna T. Junio – Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (F): As of now, there are many of our people whose harvests are destroyed. Some of them have houses that were swept away by the floods. And the problem now of the province is: How will we help these families have enough food on their table to sustain them for the next few days?

VOICE: Supreme Master Ching Hai on November 6 donated US$20,000 for urgent items with all her love and prayers, asking that our Association members please go render assistance. This amount could acquire US$281,000 in emergency supplies purchased in the United States, based on the cost of living in the Philippines.

Our Association’s relief team from the Philippines and Formosa (Taiwan) arrived in Cagayan Province on November 11. Upon receiving information from Social Welfare and Development Officer Ms. Edna T. Junio, food provisions of rice, salt, vinegar, soy sauce, and noodles were purchased to deliver to the most affected municipality of Amulung. With the help of volunteers sent by the social welfare agency, 6,725 food packages were assembled and distributed to the 29 villages of Amulung, some of which had to be reached by boat due to lingering floodwaters.

(In Tagalog)
Relief recipient (M): We thank you all for the help you gave us, the less fortunate ones flooded here in Amulong, Angkiray, especially to Supreme Master Ching Hai. (In English)Amalung Mayor, Atty. Nicanor de Leon (M): So on behalf of the more than 50,000 people of Amulung, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Supreme Master Ching Hai. I know that this will go a long, long way.

VOICE: Mayor de Leon also expressed his enthusiasm for the organic vegan solution to climate change and disasters, and before their departure invited the relief team members to a vegan meal.

(In English)
Edna T. Junio (F): On behalf of the people of Cagayan, I would like to thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for giving attention to the province for the flash flood. And I read the materials that were given to me and we’ve shared that to other people. It encourages us and motivates us to Be Veg, Go Green, because that is the way that we can save the planet.

(In English)
Mayor Atty. Nicanor de Leon (M): This is a very commendable effort of Supreme Master Ching Hai. In the Municipality of Amulung, we also asked our people to grow vegetables. So I think I saw one partner in our advocacy for growing vegetables in the person of Supreme Master Ching Hai. Long life to you, (Mabuhay po kayo) Supreme Master Ching Hai! Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet!

VOICE: With appreciation to Mayor de Leon, Officer Junio, all government officials and volunteers for their assistance to the flood victims, we also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her unconditional support and our Association’s relief team for their diligent service. With our condolences to the families of lost loved ones, we pray that such distressing events subside as more and more people turn to gentler lifestyles.