Relief news update from Pakistan - 22 Jul 2010  
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Supreme Master Ching Hai International relief news update from Pakistan.
At the end of June, the Hunza River in northern Pakistan reached a dangerous level after heavy rains increased the threat of breaching. The Pakistani government has thus far evacuated 45,000 displaced residents to 12 camps and asked for international assistance.

Ahmaddin – Red Crescent Society (M): The situation right now is that the internally displaced persons have the problem of rehabilitation and hopefully there will be a suitable solution for them.

VOICE: Deeply concerned, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated US$15,000 and asked our Association members to go if possible to provide emergency aid and comfort to the victims.

This amount could purchase US$268,000 in vital materials if obtained in the United States, based on Pakistan’s cost of living. Covering their own travel and related expenses of nearly US$5,000, our Association’s relief team from Formosa (Taiwan) traveled to the country and with the help of the local groups All Green and the Red Crescent Society were able to bring the most needed items.

Nine hundred fifty food supply packages, including high quality rice and oil, were delivered safely via large trucks on rough mountain roads over a distance of 600 kilometers.
However, as the northern area was highly restricted, the relief team requested the kind assistance of All Green staff to help distribute the supplies. Thus, despite further rains, about 147 of the most desperate remote families received the care packages, with widow-headed households given priority.

Relief recipient (M): I am very, very thankful to you and the Supreme Master that you brought us help. We all the people of Sarat and Attaabad got the food from you. And we are all very, very thankful to you.

Relief recipient (M): Thank you so much that you people came here and helped us.
Relief recipient (M): We are really very thankful to you and your association that for the sake of humanity you brought food for us and our children all the way here.

VOICE: We thank the Pakistani government, All Green and the Red Crescent Society for your kindhearted assistance. And also for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s loving support and care to the storm-affected people.
With prayers for their safety and wellbeing, may such disruptive events be lessened through humanity’s gentler consideration for the environment.