Love And Support for Those Recovering From Extreme Weather Events in China

By China Relief Team (Originally in Chinese)

In August 2013, several provinces in China were affected by devastating rains and floods that caused scores of people to lose their lives; 256,000 hectares of cropland in the country’s breadbasket were damaged, leading to the worst crop disaster in decades, according to China’s Xinhua news agency. Meanwhile, Typhoon Utor was damaging infrastructure in the south, particularly in Guangdong Province. Immediately after these events, the Chinese government mobilized the military to bring rapid relief to those affected and to repair infrastructure.

Deeply concerned about the people’s well-being, Supreme Master Ching Hai sent approximately US$21,000, and asked our Association members to use the funds to provide relief.

Jilin Province Disaster Relief

The storm that struck Lushui River Town in Fusong County, Jilin Province on August 15 was the strongest to affect the area in a hundred years, and the subsequent flooding devastated the local community.

After receiving a loving contribution of RMB 20,000 (US$3,277) from Supreme Master Ching Hai, a relief team of our Association members set out for the town. When we arrived on August 25, we discovered that approximately 560 households and 1,650 people had been affected. Of these, about 50 households were severely damaged, 244 homes were in danger of collapsing or had already collapsed, and 700 people had to be relocated.

The government already had a relief plan in place, giving the displaced residents accommodations and living expenses. After a discussion with local officials, our team members decided that the best way to render aid was to give the relief funds to the Lushui River Township Government for the purchase of daily necessities.

We sincerely thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for giving us this opportunity to bring love and support to others in need.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
for Flood Relief Work in Jilin Province, China

Relief team members paid for their own travel expenses.

Liaoning Province Disaster Relief

On August 16, three counties in China’s northern Liaoning Province, including 204 villages in Qinyuan, Fushun City, were also flooded during the severe storm that affected Jilin Province. Upon hearing of the situation, Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed RMB 50,394 (US$8,258) and asked our Association members to quickly render assistance.

Our relief team traveled to the hardest hit area, Nankouqian Township, where the majority of the homes were beyond repair, the roads had been destroyed and power had not yet been restored.

We purchased 200 buckets and approximately 1,000 undergarments. Since the people in the area’s most severely damaged village had lost almost all of their possessions, we also purchased items such as cooking pots, utensils, soap, candles, toilet paper, personal hygiene items, shoes, noodles and pickled vegetables.

Then on August 23, as we traveled to temporary shelters to distribute the supplies, an unexpected detour led us to a village in Nankouqian Township where 31 out of 42 households had lost their homes and possessions to the flood. More than 170 villagers were facing severe difficulties. Thus, we distributed the extra supplies we had on hand to the villagers, including undergarments, meal boxes and towels.

We are deeply grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her merciful grace in giving us the opportunity to convey God’s love. We learned much and received many blessings. When conveying Her love and delivering relief items, we felt the people’s happiness and gratitude and were blessed with great, loving energy.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
For Flood Relief Work in Liaoning Province, China

Relief team members paid for their own travel expenses.

Guangdong Province Disaster Relief

From August 14 to 18, 2013, Guangdong Province was affected by the powerful Typhoon Utor, experiencing strong winds and continuous, heavy rainfall. According to the Guangdong Ministry of Civil Affairs, over four million people were affected and the storm caused RMB 4.9 billion (US$802 million) in damage.

Supreme Master Ching Hai quickly responded to news of the event by sending RMB 55,450 (US$9,086) in relief funds and instructing our local Association members to rush to the aid of those affected.

Our relief team then distributed rice, salt, cooking pots, gas stoves, bed covers, towels and mosquito nets, along with RMB 12,000 to the residents of Gecang Village. The recipients expressed their sincere gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai and wished Her great health and happiness.

On August 26, we also distributed 4,500 kilograms of rice, 300 bottles of cooking oil and 300 bags of pickles in Hanguang Town, Yingde City, which had suffered severe damage. Along with the supplies, RMB 2,300 in relief aid and RMB 3,000 in scholarship funds were given to the affected people in 13 villages.

The recipients were extremely grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her help, and wished Her a long life and great health. We also express our deepest thanks to Master for the opportunity to bring Her love and assistance to those in need.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
for Typhoon Utor Relief Work in Guangdong Province, China

The relief team members paid for their own travel expenses.