Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Haiti. Two-and-a-half months after Haiti’s severe 7.0- magnitude quake claimed over 200,000 lives, more than a million survivors in Port-au-Prince now face intense downpours, often from insufficient shelters surrounded by pools of water and mud.
Since the initial disaster, Supreme Master Ching Hai has followed the island nation’s situation closely, conveying her deep sympathy and prayers.
Having donated US$134,000 for various forms of emergency aid, she asked that our Association members render medical and surgical care as well as provide pain medication.
Combined with the steady donations from our international Association members, the total contributions of US$556,000 could obtain nearly US$20 million in urgent supplies if purchased in the United States, based on Haiti’s cost of living. Our Association’s relief team, with international members mostly covering their own travel expenses, has been helping in Haiti since January.
Each day, the cooking team currently prepares up to 4,000 vegan meals, which are in turn delivered to a village community in need as well as regional orphanages, a church, a tent city and a school.
Correspondent (F): We just arrived to another orphanage. And since we have been coming for the last two weeks every day at lunch and dinner, the kids already know the car. So when they hear the sound or just see the car, they come running to get the meals. They make a line and receive a warm meal from a warm container.
Orphans (F): Thank you, Master Ching Hai!
VOICE: In accordance with Supreme Master Ching Hai’s requests, the relief team’s focus most recently has been on bringing desperately needed tents and protective floor lining to survivors.
Accompanied by other volunteers, some of our Association members trekked 20 hours to distant mountain regions and other areas that have received little to no outside help.
Correspondent (F): We just arrived to another small place. It’s literally next to highway — we have the cars passing here. And these are like the houses of the people that are living here.
Just made out of wooden sticks, and are made like something of kind of fabric. And with the same fabric, they use it to wrap it around. And this is supposed to protect them from rain, because rainy season is here. So, right now the relief team is going to give them some tents.
Haitian relief volunteer helper (M): We are now around 35 km by foot from Laval and we come here to see those who are very, very, very poor. Their homes crumbled down, crushed, but they survived still. There are still more than 90 families over there. We are going to the other side which is around 1.5 hours more. But we still go because we want to help, that's it.
Young tent recipient (F): Thank you, Master Ching Hai. Correspondent (F): Reporting for Supreme Master Television from the streets of Haiti.
VOICE: We extend our appreciation to all governments, organizations, and persons offering their help to the quake victims. Our gratefulness also goes to Supreme Master Ching Hai for her steadfast support, and to our Association’s relief team for their caring endeavors.
May Heaven bless the Haitian people with returning comfort and stability as we pray that humanity’s gentler ways ensure the protection of our planetary abode.
|