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

From late September into October, storm after storm pummeled the island nation, claiming over 30 lives, injuring many others, and affecting thousands of families who were still struggling to recover from the devastating January 2010 quake. On September 27, Supreme Master Ching Hai had donated US$15,000 for our Association members to help the most desperate.

(Report in Spanish)
Correspondent, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (F): Halo, we are in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief team is rendering aid to the afflicted families. These families had lost everything; they were sleeping on cartons, some of them also use rocks as pillows.

VOICE: Upon receiving the report of their initial relief work, Supreme Master Ching Hai expressed her love, prayers, and utmost sympathy as she donated an additional US$30,000 (on November 12) for the purchase of tents to be delivered as quickly as possible.

Her newest contribution follows a series of previous donations amounting to US$134,000 made in the aftermath of the devastating January quake, providing for such urgent needs as vegan food as well as pain medication and, later, sheltering tents. Together with the most recent donations made in November and those made cumulatively by our Association members, the total US$627,000 could acquire US$22.4 million in emergency supplies purchased in the United States, based on Haiti’s cost of living. 

With their travel and related expenses of approximately US$4,700 covered by our Association members, relief teams from Costa Rica and Colombia first traveled to neighboring Dominican Republic, to meet with the Director of Santo Domingo Civil Defense, Mr. Luis Reyes.

(In Spanish)
Luis Rafael Reyes, Director of Santo Domingo Civil Defense, Dominican Republic (M): The only aid which is really coming to touch the heart of the Haitian citizens, are the deliveries of the Supreme Master [Ching Hai] International [Association]. And really, this country is very grateful for their part, since this has solved a big problem. Master, in our name and on behalf of our glorious institution, the Civil Defense of the Dominican Republic, thank you very much.

VOICE: Together, they purchased 305 durable tents. The relief team then went to Haiti, where they were joined by the Integral Development International Evangelical Mission in Haiti, a charity group that had assisted them in the previous relief work, to distribute the new tents to families in need throughout Port-au-Prince.

(Following interviews in Creole)
Relief recipient (lost her family) (F): When it rained, the water would run underneath the tent. Some tents fly away, some are carried, blown by the wind; some people see their belongings get all wet. Now I was able to receive this tent, I knew that this means a better life for me. Thank you, [Supreme Master] Ching Hai.

Relief recipient (Father, lost wife during earthquake) (M): I am very contented. I ask God to bless the work you do so you can always carry through; that you do not become discouraged. And that God protects her too for the wonderful work she does, so she can help the people because no one else was thinking of us. Many thanks.

Young relief recipient (F): I want to say: “Thank you, [Supreme Master] Ching Hai, I love you!” Relief recipients: Thank you, [Supreme Master] Ching Hai!

(In Spanish)
Correspondent (F): Reporting for Supreme Master Television, from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

VOICE: Our thankfulness, Santo Domingo Civil Defense and Integral Development International Evangelical Mission in Haiti, for your gracious assistance as well as for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s unconditional support and our Association members’ selfless endeavors. May the Haitian people be graced with resiliency as we pray for their recuperation to stable day-to-day lives and that such devastations are eased through humanity’s greater benevolence toward the ecosphere.