The Supreme Master Ching Hai
By Kathmandu, Nepal Relief Team (Originally in Nepali)
Due to incessant rainfall in July 2013, the flooding of the Karnali River swept away the houses and belongings of the Badi, an ethnic group in Nepal, and other communities living along the river. After being displaced from their homes, the Badi sought shelter at a local school and in a playground where they set up tents.
Concerned about those affected, Supreme Master Ching Hai requested our local Association members to please help those in need and provided US$3,171.50 in reimbursement of our team’s relief work expenditures. Our Association members from Kathmandu Center went to survey the heavily affected areas of Dailekh and Darchula and found Dailekh in the most need of help. On July 10, after a hazardous journey along narrow roads in heavy rain and thick fog, our relief team from Kathmandu Center reached the town of Dailekh, the Dailekh District headquarters. Then on the morning of July 11, our team met with the Chairman of the Dailekh Red Cross Society, Mr. Khem Raj K.C., to learn necessary information, as well as with Chief District Officer Mr. Homnath Thapaliya, to inform him of our purpose.
On the same day, we visited the affected area of lower Dhungeshwor to assess the situation and meet with the local people. We learned that 40 families from the Badi and other communities had been displaced by the flooding, and were in urgent need of food and shelter. Then on July 12 we returned to distribute relief materials to the families. Each family received 50 kilograms of rice, five kilograms of flattened rice, five kilograms of pulses, three liters of cooking oil and three kilograms of salt.
That evening, Mr. Thapaliya presented our team with a thank-you letter. We also received a letter of appreciation from the Red Cross Society of Dailekh.
Mr. Thapaliya and the Red Cross also kindly requested that we purchase 30 tents for other flood-affected people who would be coming to Dailekh seeking temporary shelter. We then bought enough tents to accommodate 30 families and sent them to the Red Cross District Office of Dailekh through their staff.
The recipients were all deeply grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for helping them during their time of need.
Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
for Flood Relief Work in Nepal
| Description | Amount (NPR) | Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| Relief materials | 212,292 | A |
| Transportation | 58,070 | B |
| Lodging and food | 8,970 | C |
| Miscellaneous items | 2,652 | D |
| Relief survey work in Darchula | 20,885 | E |
| Total | NPR 302,869 (US$3,171.50) |
