Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Haiti.
More than 3 months following the 7.0-magnitude quake that struck the island nation, our Association’s relief team recently concluded their work. They had arrived just after the unforgettable January 12 disaster had left the capital city in utter ruin and claimed over 200,000 lives. More than 1.5 million survivors were left homeless, in grief, frightened amidst the countless aftershocks, and desperately without food and water.

Business owner (M): We are trying to survive, I tell you, with hands, fingers, a shovel. (tearing) (crying) Excuse me. (Don’t worry.)

VOICE: Meanwhile, thousands of injured were in need of immediate attention for crushed limbs and other serious physical trauma. Urgent calls for aid and rescue workers were met with overwhelmingly generous international response. Nevertheless, medical personnel and basic supplies were still very limited.
With heartfelt concern, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately requested that our Association members go render much-needed help including medical and surgical care.

She also gave donations totaling US$134,000, which, combined with a steady outpour of contributions from our Association members around the globe, came to US$577,000.
This amount could purchase US$21 million in supplies in the United States, based on the cost of living in Haiti. With most covering their own travel expenses, our Association’s relief team, including doctors and nurses, delivered food, medicine, and water purifiers, and treated emergency patients in the capital of Port-au-Prince, collaborating efforts with the Haitian Red Cross and Active Community Teams Serving (ACTS) World Relief.

In addition, the Dominican Republic’s Civil Defense team, who had worked with our Association in the past, cooperated closely on a daily basis to ensure secure and unrestricted access to and from affected areas.
Invited to be stationed at the Seventh Day Adventist medical center in Carrefour, our Association’s relief team was able to work from one of the largest facilities still standing after the temblor, which was also equipped to treat some of the most seriously wounded.

Association member, Pediatric physician (F): We have fortunately saved many babies that we couldn’t believe they were alive. And now they’re really happy and smiling and awake!

VOICE: As the needs of the earthquake victims evolved over time, Supreme Master Ching Hai continued to ensure that the most current necessities were provided.
She had donated an additional US$20,000 for pain relief medications for the wounded patients. When concerns began to grow about the coming rainy season, she set aside another US$40,000 for the purchase of durable tents to replace the makeshift homes made of bed sheets and scrap materials.

With detailed concern, Supreme Master Ching Hai then asked that the relief team also provide residents with protective floor lining to ensure dry tent floors when it rained.

Tent recipient (M): Before the people received these tents, we slept in very deplorable conditions. I specifically thank Master Ching Hai. She is a very generous person who loves Haiti.

VOICE: Upon request for help in meeting the hospital’s food shortage, the relief team also set up a cooking team to provide fresh, wholesome vegan meals daily to all hospital patients and staff.

The operation continuously expanded, eventually serving up to 4,000 daily meals to victims and relief personnel alike in various locations.

Meanwhile, it became clear that the orphaned children, whose numbers swelled since the earthquake, especially were in need of basic aid. The relief team visited orphanages and some of the most desperate tent cities where our Association members who are doctors and dentists were able to provide health services as well as medicine, new clothes, and toys.

Sister Sylvie Eli - Orphanage caregiver (F): I am very grateful to Master Ching Hai for the gift she has given to us through the tents for the children.

VOICE: Though our Association members went to Haiti with the purpose of giving a helping hand, what they learned from their experience with the Haitian people was more precious than words could convey.

Our Association relief team member, cooking team, Adventist Hospital, Haiti (M): (teary) Just the experience of Haiti itself, the people from Haiti, have taught me so much.

VOICE: Many relief recipients also wrote letters of gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai. The following are just some of the excerpts:

Administration Council of the 4th Section Procy of Carrefour : “We the Administration Council of the 4th communal section of Procy in Carrefour and the organization for the Development of Procy ORDEP are glad to thank you for the great and precious work you are doing in our section.”

La Farandole de Mirna Association, Carrefour, assisting children : “Our greatest and absolute respect goes to Supreme Master Ching Hai for her special devotion to the children.”

VOICE: Our appreciation once more to the Adventist Hospital, Red Cross, Dominican Civil Defense, and all organizations and individuals for their dedicated help to the earthquake victims.
We also send our gratefulness for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s caring support all this time, and for our Association’s relief team’s dedicated efforts.
Our prayers for Heaven's continued protection of the gentle Haitian people, and for the planet's lasting stability through humanity's gentler regard for all beings.