TIN CỨU TRỢ

[Nhím Hoàng Kim]

Relief News Update from Phillippines - 29 Nov 2010

Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from the Philippines.

On November 4, days of heavy rains due to Typhoon Juan affected 145,000 people across five provinces, including northern Cagayan Province where the floods were declared to be the worst in history. At least 11 people lost their lives.

(In Tagalog)
Victim (F): We’re very surprised by the sudden flooding; the water entered the house suddenly. The water was up to my neck when I was able to escape. Even our dog has just returned home today. I wonder how our life will be, especially because the price of rice has increased.

(In English)
Edna T. Junio – Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (F): As of now, there are many of our people whose harvests are destroyed. Some of them have houses that were swept away by the floods. And the problem now of the province is: How will we help these families have enough food on their table to sustain them for the next few days?

VOICE: Supreme Master Ching Hai on November 6 donated US$20,000 for urgent items with all her love and prayers, asking that our Association members please go render assistance. This amount could acquire US$281,000 in emergency supplies purchased in the United States, based on the cost of living in the Philippines.

Our Association’s relief team from the Philippines and Formosa (Taiwan) arrived in Cagayan Province on November 11. Upon receiving information from Social Welfare and Development Officer Ms. Edna T. Junio, food provisions of rice, salt, vinegar, soy sauce, and noodles were purchased to deliver to the most affected municipality of Amulung. With the help of volunteers sent by the social welfare agency, 6,725 food packages were assembled and distributed to the 29 villages of Amulung, some of which had to be reached by boat due to lingering floodwaters.

(In Tagalog)
Relief recipient (M): We thank you all for the help you gave us, the less fortunate ones flooded here in Amulong, Angkiray, especially to Supreme Master Ching Hai. (In English)Amalung Mayor, Atty. Nicanor de Leon (M): So on behalf of the more than 50,000 people of Amulung, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Supreme Master Ching Hai. I know that this will go a long, long way.

VOICE: Mayor de Leon also expressed his enthusiasm for the organic vegan solution to climate change and disasters, and before their departure invited the relief team members to a vegan meal.

(In English)
Edna T. Junio (F): On behalf of the people of Cagayan, I would like to thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for giving attention to the province for the flash flood. And I read the materials that were given to me and we’ve shared that to other people. It encourages us and motivates us to Be Veg, Go Green, because that is the way that we can save the planet.

(In English)
Mayor Atty. Nicanor de Leon (M): This is a very commendable effort of Supreme Master Ching Hai. In the Municipality of Amulung, we also asked our people to grow vegetables. So I think I saw one partner in our advocacy for growing vegetables in the person of Supreme Master Ching Hai. Long life to you, (Mabuhay po kayo) Supreme Master Ching Hai! Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet!

VOICE: With appreciation to Mayor de Leon, Officer Junio, all government officials and volunteers for their assistance to the flood victims, we also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her unconditional support and our Association’s relief team for their diligent service. With our condolences to the families of lost loved ones, we pray that such distressing events subside as more and more people turn to gentler lifestyles.

http://www.suprememastertv.com/au/re...d=268&page=4#v

[Nhím Hoàng Kim]

Relief News Update from Indonesia - 05 Dec 2010

Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Indonesia.

In late October, a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, followed minutes later by a huge three-meter tsunami that resulted in the loss of about 450 lives and displacement of nearly 15,000 others along with widespread destruction across several Mentawai islands.

With deep sorrow and her prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated US$10,000 in emergency aid, asking that our nearby Association members please go to help the most desperate. With an additional contribution of US$7,000 from our Association members, our Indonesian Association members began the relief work as soon as conditions permitted. The combined US$17,000 could acquire US$197,000 in urgent materials if obtained in the United States, based on Indonesia’s cost of living.

Upon consulting with the Indonesian Red Cross Society, the relief team purchased vegan food items including biscuits, instant noodles, green beans and rice, along with tents, clothing, kitchen utensils and medicine. After flying to Padang Island, they rented a boat to distribute the items. Although travel was hindered by high tides, inclement weather and periodic engine trouble, the relief team and supplies finally reached the Mentawai island of North Pagai.

Our Association members proceeded to the Sikakap Clinic where they gave the staff medicine to treat the storm victims. After checking with the West Sumatra Disaster Management Agency to see which villages had not yet received aid, they used two small boats to deliver the relief items to eight villages in North and South Pagai islands. At Muntei baru-baru village, residents were in disbelief that anyone would come to directly bring them help, as normally only helicopters dared to land on the island. Our Association members discovered later that it was only after they successfully arrived at this village that a large ship carrying other relief aid also came to Muntei baru-baru. Throughout the mission, the relief recipients said they were very touched by Master’s gifts and wished to thank her for her love and blessings.

We are grateful for the help of the Indonesian Red Cross Society and West Sumatra Disaster Management Agency as we also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her unconditional support and our Association’s relief team for their diligent efforts. With Allah’s blessings, may all those affected smoothly recover their regular day-to-day lives, as we pray that such devastations are minimized through humanity’s more caring stewardship of the ecosphere.

http://www.suprememastertv.com/au/re...d=269&page=4#v

[Nhím Hoàng Kim]

Relief News Update from Formosa (Taiwan) - 06 Dec 2010

Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Formosa (Taiwan).

In September, southern Formosa was pummeled by Typhoon Fanapi. The damage was severe, and our Formosan (Taiwanese) Association members began relief operations immediately afterward, as per Supreme Master Ching Hai’s request in such disaster situations. After receiving their updated reports, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated an additional US$20,000 on October 19 for any extra urgent needs, sending all her love and prayers.

Continuing the relief work, our Association members went to the affected Dahou and Yilin tribes in Laiyi Township that they had not yet visited. Although some of the mountain roads leading to the communities were still destroyed or covered by mud and rock, the relief team was able to reach them with the guidance of Dahou tribal chief, Mr. FuKuei Kao. There, they delivered supplies to the tribes’ 50 households.

(Aboriginal language)
Mr. FuKuei Kao, Tribal Chief of Daho, Laiyi Township, Pingtung County, Formosa (Taiwan) (M): On behalf of the villagers in Dahou, thank you so much, Supreme Master Ching Hai. Typhoon Fanapi had caused severe damages in the Dahou tribe. Thank you for bringing water, food, rice, and other supplies to our tribe. Thank you so much for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s thoughtfulness.

VOICE: Since the majority of villagers were elders and children, our Association members played games and sang with them. They were also touched to hear the elders sing them an ancient melody with the lyrics conveying their thankfulness as they invited our Association members to visit them again. The relief recipients also conveyed their delight to receive information on the healthy, eco-stabilizing vegan lifestyle via the SOS flyers and booklets of vegan recipes.

Mr. FuKuei Kao, Tribal Chief of Daho, Laiyi Township, Pingtung County, Formosa (Taiwan) (M): We are glad that many in the tribe have started to learn vegan cooking and the families are accepting the vegan diet.

VOICE: Our Association members also went to Wutai Township, where most of 1,200 villagers were still staying in a temporary shelter, as their electricity and water supplies were still out a month after the typhoon hit.

(In Chinese)
Mr. Yen Chin Mao, Head of Wutai Township (M): All our tribes suffered quite serious damage. For example, our own village, Chilu, had a landslide. The whole village was evacuated and is still staying with the Baiho tribe.

VOICE: Many of the villagers made their living growing taro, sweet potatoes, and millet. The blocked roads and bridges resulting from the typhoon meant that they were not able to distribute or sell their harvests. They said they also felt heartbroken and helpless to see that the beautiful landscapes of their childhood days were gone, as disasters were causing worse damage every year.

(In Chinese)
Ms. Ke Hsiu Mei, Representative of Villagers, Wutai Township, Pingtung County (F): Ever since I was born 50 years ago, this is the first I’ve seen such a severe disaster. So this is a big warning to us. We shouldn’t cut trees, dig the land at will; instead, we should plant trees. Certainly, sustainable diet is also crucial. We need to change our diet to be green to save the planet.

VOICE: Our Association members distributed a 30 kilogram bag of rice each to the 329 families in the Kuchuan, Chilu Tribe, and Wutai tribes, while conveying Supreme Master Ching Hai’s love and sympathies. The relief recipients were comforted and also glad to learn more about the Earth-protecting vegan lifestyle.

(Aboriginal language)
Ms. Ke Hsiu Mei, Representative of Villagers, Wutai Township, Pingtung County (F): Thank you very much, Supreme Master Ching Hai.

(Aboriginal language + Chinese)
Relief recipients + relief team: Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet! Thank you!

VOICE: We appreciate the assistance of all the village leaders as we also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her unconditional support and our Association’s relief team for their sincere endeavors. Wishing the indigenous Formosan people a smooth recovery of their regular day-to-day lives as we pray that our kinder stewardship of the Earth helps ensure the stability of our shared planetary abode.

http://www.suprememastertv.com/au/re...d=270&page=4#v

[Nhím Hoàng Kim]

Relief News Update from Bangladesh - 15 Dec 2010

Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Bangladesh.

Starting in September, heavy rains set off flooding along the Brahmaputra River in western Bangladesh, affecting more than 95,000 villagers.

(In Bengali)
Abdul Mannan Khan - Sirajanj district resident (M): This year’s flooding caused devastation and destroyed many areas of Kaeipore, Belkuchi and Chuhali sub-district of Sirajanj district. It destroyed crops, roads, houses, and so many of people’s possession.

VOICE: With heartfelt concern and her prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated US$15,000 and asked that our Association members please go offer assistance to the most vulnerable, such as the orphaned and elderly without caregivers. This amount could purchase US$435,000 in emergency materials if acquired in the United States, based on the cost of living in Bangladesh. Our Association’s relief team from Formosa (Taiwan), covering their own travel and accommodation expenses of about US$3,500, flew to the impacted Sirajganj and Sherpur districts. With the help of the non-profit aid group, CARE International Bangladesh, the relief team traveled by boat across the river to deliver 1,550 packages, providing double portions to the elderly living alone, as well as widows and children without care.

(In Bengali)
Azizul Haque - CARE Bangladesh (M): The Supreme Master International Association team along with me visited the disaster places of both the districts and made a decision to give 800 packages in Sirajganj and 750 packages in Sherpur. Each package contained rice, lentils, salt, and soybean oil, for each area. VOICE: When the onset of heavy rains and strong winds made it impossible to deliver more supplies, the rest of the distribution was kindly completed by CARE International Bangladesh with the support of the local government.

(In Bengali).
Azizul Haque - CARE Bangladesh (M): Doing this relief work has made me want to become a vegetarian. I and the people of Bangladesh present our sincere thanks and wish a long life to Supreme Master Ching Hai.

VOICE: Our gratitude, Bangladeshi government officials CARE International Bangladesh for your meaningful assistance to flood-afflicted countrymen as we thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her unconditional aid and our Association’s relief team for their efforts. We pray for the flood affected residents’ soon return to stability and for such disasters to subside as we consciously choose to tread more lightly to flood-afflicted countrymen as we thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for her unconditional aid and our Association’s relief team for their efforts. We pray for the flood affected residents’ soon return to stability and for such disasters to subside as we consciously choose to tread more lightly on the Earth.

http://www.suprememastertv.com/au/re...d=271&page=4#v

[Nhím Hoàng Kim]

Relief News Update from Guatemala - 21 Dec 2010

Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news update from Guatemala.

After being pummeled by earlier storms such as Tropical Storm Matthew, Guatemala was struck with torrential rain and mudslides in October that caused two children to perish. Some 40,000 people were affected, with many families rendered homeless, particularly in Petén Department. When the calamities were first reported in October, Supreme Master Ching Hai conveyed her condolences and prayers as she donated US$5,000 for emergency assistance. In accordance with her requests, our Association members carried out relief work, also contributing US$2,700 of their own funds. Upon receiving their updated report, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated an additional US$10,000 to purchase urgent items for children and those most in need. This combined amount of US$17,700 could acquire US$158,000 in items obtained in the United States, based on Guatemala’s cost of living.

Our Association members from Colombia and Costa Rica traveled to Guatemala City and from there drove 9 hours to visit the most-affected families in Petén. Upon their arrival, they discussed the situation with the CONRED (Coordinadora Nacional para la Reduccion de Desastres) disaster services director, who said that four communities in La Libertad had not yet received aid, and that some families in three other communities helped earlier by our Association’s first relief team were once again seriously in need of food. Many of these families had lost their livelihoods along with all their crops.

Correspondent (F): Halo. We are in the Department of Petén in Guatemala, Central America, where the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief team is giving food aid once again to the families affected by storm Matthew. These families have lost everything.

Edwin Yovanny Martínez, Regional Delegate, CONRED, Petén Department, Guatemala (M): The houses came to be submerged from 1 meter to 2.10 meters of water. Families had to evacuate to the shelter areas such as schools, halls, or churches, where we gave them minimal help.

Relief recipient 5 (F): We would endure the needs for the children, we would be able to bear it a bit, but they won’t be able to bear anything.

Relief recipient 4 (F): They ask what to eat and sometimes we say there’s nothing left. Even sometimes I would cry because I wanted to prepare my food but I saw that my wood was wet and couldn’t do anything. We came back home, but up to where the water rose is all rotten.

VOICE: Our Association members purchased vegan food supplies for 500 families, including rice, beans, oil, wheat flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar and soya milk, cookies and candies for the children, which were packed with the help of military and CONRED personnel. Accompanied by CONRED’s delegate Mr. Martínez, they delivered the aid to the grateful flood victims.

Relief recipient 1 (F): Master, I do not know how to thank you, but in advance, I thank you with all my heart because we were suffering a crisis, we are very grateful for all that you have done for us.

Relief recipient 3 (F): We really thank you because of your caring support to us. We send you a kiss and a warm hug. Thank you very much.

Edwin Yovanny Martínez, Regional Delegate, CONRED, Petén Department, Guatemala (M): I want to thank God and Master Ching Hai for the support that is being given to the Department of Petén. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association already came once to deliver aid and now we have a second support that, for us, as well as Petén and Guatemala, is important because it’s covering 100% of the people who were affected and we had not been able to reach them, nor did we have the ability to give the minimal attention so they can survive in this difficult time.

Relief recipients: Thank you, Master!

Correspondent (F): Reporting for Supreme Master Television from Petén Department, in Guatemala.

VOICE: Our appreciation Mr. Martínez, CONRED, and Guatemala’s military personnel, for your kind assistance. We are also thankful for Supreme Master Ching Hai’s detailed care of the Guatemalan people, and for the dedicated efforts of our Association’s relief team. May Heaven bless the storm-stricken residents with a smooth recuperation of stable day-to-day lives as humanity’s gentler care for each other and the environment helps ease such extreme conditions as these.

http://www.suprememastertv.com/au/re...d=272&page=4#v