Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Poland.
In May, the Central European nation was besieged by unrelenting torrential rains that set off the country’s most severe floods in over a decade as its two largest rivers, the Vistula and Oder, burst their banks.

At least 18 people perished with tens of thousands who were displaced, as the Polish government and nongovernmental organizations frantically worked to assist the afflicted. Expressing her deep condolences and prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated US$10,000, requesting that our Association members please go help those most in need.

Our Association members quickly contacted officials for information on the areas that had been hardest hit.
They then divided in two groups, the first rendering aid to worst-affected victims in southern regions. Meanwhile, the other relief team traveled to Masovian province, covering their own expenses of approximately US$700 (€600).

On the road, one of their cars was damaged by floodwaters, but the relief work continued immediately after repairs as they traveled to the towns of Słubice and Gąbin. There, residents described their situation.

Victim (M):In the village of Świniary, the dam broke and floodwaters came very quickly. The wave… people from that area, those villages close to Świniary, Wiączemin, escaped from their houses without saving any belongings.

Victim (M): Yesterday I reached my home and everything is, well, simply cracked. It fell over. Now it is necessary to dry, to air out rooms, open the windows, simply everything. The floors rose up. It’s like you’re walking in the mountains.

Victim (M): The water here practically reached the level of our faces. As you can see, the building there, the water flowed through its windows. We were practically separated from the world. From all direction
we had the water. Regarding the crops, farmers don’t expect…, cannot expect anything, actually — zero crops. Yes, this is dangerous… All the water is very contaminated.

Correspondent (F): So, do you drink boiled water?

Victim (M): But only from bottles. This situation is hard. Of course, it is important to help one another, somehow…

VOICE: The relief team then visited some who had taken refuge in a school, where they distributed 180 packages that included cleaning, medical, hygiene, and vegan food supplies.

They also gave out SOS leaflets on the veg climate solution, and provided vegan food for animals as well as baked vegan goods to help bring comfort to the storm victims at this time, much to their appreciation.
Mazovian Vice Governor Andrzej Rybus Tołoczko also conveyed his thanks to Supreme Master Ching Hai and the relief team via a phone call.

Our thankfulness, officials and rescue personnel, for your swift assistance. We are also grateful for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s heartfelt concern and for the endeavors of our Association members.

May Heaven grace the flood-affected residents with a smooth resuming of their productive day-to-day lives, as we pray that such extreme circumstances subside through humanity’s caring efforts.