Helping in the Philippines After Typhoon Hagupit

 By Formosa Relief Team (Originally in Chinese)

After landing in the coastal town of Dolores in Eastern Samar Province on December 6, 2014, Typhoon Hagupit lashed the Philippines for over 60 hours, affecting over 4.1 million people and taking 18 lives.

Deeply concerned for all those affected, Supreme Master Ching Hai provided US$20,000 in relief funds and instructed our Association members to help those in need. With Master’s funds and an additional US$920 contribution from our Association members, our Formosa relief team immediately traveled to Catarman, the capital of Northern Samar. On December 14, we met with a social worker and the Provincial Information Officer, Mr. Eddie Picardal, who informed us that the damage was not as extensive as had been predicted, and the Central Government had provided some emergency provisions. Supplies still needed included blankets, floor mats and food items such as cooking oil, sugar and vinegar.

On December 15, accompanied by the Assistant of the Provincial Budget Office, we visited two coastal cities and two remote mountainous cities and distributed supplies based on a list provided by the local municipal governments. The next day, we formed two teams and offered comfort to 4,883 affected families in 12 cities with the help of the government. In many cities, we left the supplies with social agencies for later distribution. The Mayor of Mapanas, the Honorable Francis John L. Tejano, even came to receive the materials in person, expressing his gratitude to Master and thanking us for the timely delivery of the much-needed items.

In a temporary orphanage in Catarman, the children gracefully greeted us by touching our hands with their foreheads. We gave each of the 24 children and 10 foster mothers a Christmas present in addition to 22 floor mats.

Thanks to God’s love, the assistance of local Philippine officials, and the loving efforts of Mr. Eddie Picardal and the Disaster Prevention Center’s staff and drivers, the relief work was completed quickly and successfully. Our deep gratitude to Master for Her great love, which comforted the hearts of the lovely people of the Philippines in their time of need.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association for Flood Relief Work in the Philippines

Our relief team members paid for their own transportation, food and lodging expenses.