Bringing Earthquake Relief Aid to the Kindhearted People of Northeastern India

By Formosa Relief Team (Originally in Chinese)

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit the state of Manipur in northeastern India on January 4, 2016, collapsing many houses, claiming the lives of at least 11 people and injuring almost 200. On January 22, responding to Master’s loving instruction, and with Master’s relief fund of US$13,000, Formosa relief team traveled to India to distribute relief items to the affected people. We were joined by three of our Association members, two from India and one from Singapore, in Kolkata, India. Dr. Liao from the local Consular helped us coordinate with NGO personnel helping at the disaster areas.

On the morning of January 23, we flew to the main quake-stricken area, Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. Mr. Sunil, a friend of one of our Indian Association members, came to meet us at a hotel there where we discussed relief work. He helped us establish contact with leaders of villages affected by the earthquake, and also assisted us in procuring and distributing relief materials.

In the afternoon, we bought the most-needed items, divided into two teams, and drove to two different mountain areas in P. Molding, Nepali Village. As the village is very remote, we did not arrive until after dark. We distributed relief items to each family including vegan foods such as rice, lentils, oil, sugar, tea, potatoes, onions, spices, curry powder, flour and cookies. At that time, the moonlight brightened the whole village. We could hear laughter among the people, and feel the warm hands of the recipients despite the cold wind on the mountain.

On January 24, after loading up the truck, we went to Kanglatongbi Village to distribute relief items to 120 families.

On January 25, we went to Kabui Khullen Village of Tamenglong District. The principal of a local primary school offered to help us. Together with the principal and the school teachers, we packed and distributed relief items for 55 affected families; most of whom had children attending the school.

On January 26, we went to two places in Irang Khun villages. We first visited a monastery where approximately 40 children from the affected area were staying. We distributed relief items to the children as well as to the abbot and elders from the monastery. We also went to a small Catholic village located seven hours away and distributed relief items to 30 families.

On January 27, together with Mr. Sunil who helped us earlier, our local Association members visited several remote places, including Kanglatongbi Village area where many Nepalese citizens live, Orang Villa which is a Catholic village, Nisa Bandh Village, and a few households in Kabui Khullen. Accompanied by government officials and the chiefs of the villages, we offered a total of INR 277,871 to 9 families who had lost loved ones and to individuals who had injuries, to help them rebuild their lives.

When the recipients received the relief items, they always smiled, put their palms together and said, “We need nothing, thanks God.” Having witnessed Master’s blessing and love, some teachers from the local primary school wrote a letter of appreciation to our Association thanking Master for letting them feel that love has no boundary, and for giving them hope in helpless situations. Our deep gratitude to Master for Her meticulous love and care, so that we were able to complete our mission smoothly.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai for Earthquake Relief Work in Northeastern India

The relief team members paid for their own transportation and accommodations.