Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Thailand.
Floods from unusually heavy monsoon rains that had fallen relentlessly for nearly two months claimed at least 130 lives. As of Wednesday, September 21, 24 of the 56 flood-hit provinces remained waterlogged, with 1.9 million people affected and more than 300,000 homes damaged or destroyed.

Upon hearing of the flood disasters as they struck in August, Supreme Master Ching Hai had donated US$15,000, an amount that could acquire US$82,000 in emergency aid if purchased in the United States, based on the cost of living in Thailand. With all her love and sorrowful prayers, she asked that our local
Association members please go if possible to render assistance to those most in need.

After initial relief work in the provinces of Sukhothai and Pitsanulok, our Association’s relief team from Bangkok went to Nam Pat District in Uttaradit Province, where at least nine people had perished and 12 others remained missing since their villages were hit by fierce runoff and mudslides.

Trees that tumbled down the mountains due to the runoff slammed into 98 homes, with about 700 families affected in hardest-hit communities of Ban Huay Dua and Ban Ton Khanoon. Our Association's relief team delivered rice, instant noodles, drinking water, and personal hygiene items as well as soymilk for children to 300 households.

President of Nam Phai Subdistrict Administration Organization, Nam Pat District, Uttaradit Province, Thailand (M):  Thank you very much, Supreme Master Ching Hai, for your help and kindness that gives moral support to our victims during this time.

VOICE: The relief team then went to visit the worst-affected victims in Phichit Province’s Bang Phai subdistrict, where floodwaters had reached up to 4 meters high, and only trucks could pass through.
There, they distributed 300 sets of instant noodles, soy sauce, vegan pies, canned vegetable, and soymilk, before making their way to the central provinces of Sing Buri and Chainat where homes along the swollen Chao Phraya River had been submerged in 2 to 3 meters of floodwaters.

The relief team visited tents set up by the government for the displaced, and handed out 330 sets of instant noodles, drinking water, soy sauce, vegetable oil, canned vegetable, soymilk and sweets for the children.
They then prepared to continue relief work in other affected regions. Throughout their endeavors, our Association members also gave out SOS flyers, informing of the vegan solution to such weather extremes. Relief recipients and officials alike conveyed their gladness and appreciation for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s compassion.

President of Red Cross in Uttaradit Province, Thailand (F): Thank you, Supreme Master Ching Hai. In the name of Red Cross of Uttaradit Province, we would like to thank you for your kindness in helping our victims in Nam Pat District who were affected from flood and landslide. Thank you very much, Supreme Master Ching Hai.

VOICE: We join in gratefulness for Supreme Master Ching Hai's unconditional support of the disaster-afflicted as we also thank our Association’s relief team for their diligent efforts. Our prayers for the comfort and resiliency of the affected Thai people and that such calamities soon subside through our gentler regard for the environment and her co-inhabitants.