Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Guatemala.
On May 27 to 28, the volcano Pacaya erupted, causing at least three people to lose their lives, including one television reporter covering the event. Located near the capital, Guatemala City, the eruption forced ２,000 villagers to evacuate as it released tons of sand and debris, with further minor explosions occurring as late as July.

Just two days after the eruption, Tropical Storm Agatha flooded the river of Amatitlán, leaving 15 people missing. Supreme Master Television’s correspondent shares more details.

Correspondent in Guatemala (F): After two days of the eruption of the volcano, the storm Agatha came by surprise. How you see, we have a lake back there that rose up to two meters high, flooding schools, colleges, plazas, parks, and worst of all, is that in houses there was sand on the roof, and with the weight of the rain the roofs began to start falling.

This was really devastating, because they also lost all the crops. Then people said this already was like the end of the world to them.

Relief recipient (F): To see Matitlán was very hard, to see how the torrents of water, were dragging vehicles, homes, children who were dragged by torrents, pregnant women. Even people who were going to work lost everything. Children were left orphaned, and crops were lost here in the village.

VOICE: Expressing her prayers and sorrowful condolences, Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed US$10,000 for emergency flood relief with an additional US$1,000 to help the bereaved family of the volcano victim and reporter Mr. Anibal Archila. The total US$11,000 could obtain US$98,000 in needed materials if purchased in the United States, based on Guatemala’s cost of living.

With the help of the Guatemala City government, our Association’s relief team from Costa Rica provided aid to Amatitlán, one of the most affected municipalities. They delivered rice, beans, drinking water, coffee, corn flour, cooking oil and sugar for 400 families in a village there that had run out of food.

Relief recipient (M): I thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for this donation that she gave to us. We are very grateful, the community of Llano de Animas, because we have not received any help.

Relief recipient (F): Thank you. I thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her valuable assistance to our nation.
VOICE: In addition, our Association’s relief team visited the wife and family of the late journalist Mr. Anibal Archila. Their surprised and grateful acceptance of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s caring gift of US$1,000 along with her #1 international bestselling book, “The Dogs in My Life” and the lecture book, “I Have Come to Take You Home,” was recorded by the local TV channel Noti ７.

Carolina García - Widow of volcano victim (F): Truly with all my heart, thank you to the Supreme Master for this donation that she sent us. Truly, it truly is a great help to us, on behalf of my children, myself, my family, my husband's family. May God bless you truly.

Correspondent (F): We have felt really moved by this situation and we wish that this town will recover.
Here communicating to you from Guatemala’s Amatitlán for Supreme Master Television.

VOICE: We appreciate the efforts of the Guatemalan officials in aid of the volcano and flood victims as we thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her unconditional support and our Association’s relief team for their diligent assistance.

With our sympathies for the loss of Mr. Archila and other precious lives, we pray for the residents’ steady recovery and that such tragic disasters lessen as our more considerate lifestyles help ensure planetary balance.