Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Pakistan.
Although the rains of the monsoon season are over, floods that have already affected millions across the country continue, as one of Asia’s largest water bodies, Manchar Lake in southern Sindh province, recently burst in five different directions, displacing more than 100,000 additional victims.

United Nations officials estimate that up to 30,000 people are newly uprooted per day, including those who had already fled previous floods. Supreme Master Television’s correspondent was on location.

Correspondent in Pakistan (F): We are here in Indus, the area next to me which used to be 1,000 villages and 100,000 people. But now, villages and people’s property are in the flood water.

VOICE: With the initial massive flooding in August costing over 1,700 lives and more than 20 million people affected, the United Nations estimates that 12 million are still in need of emergency food aid. Government, military and international aid personnel have been working to ease the problems of malnutrition and disease, especially among children, as well as provide sanitation and shelter from the heat.

Z. A. Shah – Disaster Management Manager of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (M): Seventy-five percent of irrigation has been destroyed, like all cultivated land, crops; everything has been destroyed because of this water. People have been migrating from Shikarpur to these areas. They don’t have anything to eat, they don’t have any shelters. They were already running, just not sure where to move, where not to.

So we are expecting more damages which are already in progress and they are expected to come more.  

VOICE: Conveying her sorrowful prayers for the Pakistani people, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated a sum of US$115,000 in emergency aid, asking that our Association members render medical assistance as well as tents to shelter the vulnerable children and elderly. 

With further contributions from our worldwide Association members, the combined US$140,000 in funds could acquire approximately US$2.5 million in materials in the United States, based on Pakistan’s cost of living.

Covering their own travel and related expenses totaling US$13,980, our Association’s relief teams from Formosa (Taiwan) and Indonesia went to different parts of Pakistan, from the southern Sindh province to Mallu (Punjab province) in the north. They were assisted in their efforts by local governments as well as the non-profit groups All Green Pakistan and the Noble Aims Welfare Association.

Z. A. Shah – Disaster Management Manager of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (M): The help which has been provided from Supreme Master Ching Hai International team is obviously appreciated.

They have already installed 200 camp sites to provide shelter to shelterless people, which was really, really a blessing for the people here. They provided food. Definitely, the medical team, has provided support to thousands of people over there.

Correspondent in Pakistan (F): We are here at the camp section in Mallu. These tents were donated by the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. There are 200 tents here. Each tent can hold about 9 people. The quality of the tent is good, and the material is water-proof and mosquito-proof. This is inside of the tent. It’s wide, tall, and clean. And I can even stand in the middle of the tent. As you can see, the material is water-proof. And this one is a mosquito net. And this stand is very stable.

VOICE: Meanwhile, the Indonesian relief team went to Charsadda in the northwest region and worked with local officials to bring medical care to a camp with urgent needs. Also, packages of wheat flour, rice, dhal beans, sugar, salt, cooking oil, soap, and detergent were distributed to 2,000 affected families who had not received any aid since floods had struck in early August. Relief recipients were also glad to receive SOS flyers raising awareness on the vegan solution for climate change.

Interpreter (M): They are saying thanks to the Supreme Master for helping them and for sending the aid to these people, these are very needy people, and they are really, really thankful to her.

Z. A. Shah – Disaster Management Manager of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (M): Definitely, we would like to thank Supreme Master Ching Hai and all the team members. And after all, Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet!

Correspondent (F): As you can see, the children sitting around me, they look very happy to have their new tent, sitting here staying with me. This is Supreme Master Television reporting from Pakistan.

VOICE: With appreciation to the Pakistani governments, All Green Pakistan, the Noble Aims Welfare Association, and others, we also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her timely care and our Association’s relief teams for their sincere efforts. May the situation for the Pakistani people be eased as we pray that through
more harmonious lifestyles, such disasters soon subside.