The Supreme Master Ching Hai
By Jakarta, Indonesia News Team (Originally in English)
On January 16, 2013 heavy rains triggered extensive flooding in the greater Jakarta area. Deeply concerned upon hearing this news, Supreme Master Ching Hai requested our Association members in the area to bring assistance to those affected, adding that funds would be available for reimbursement. The next day, after observing the devastation caused by the flood, our Association members from the Jakarta Center immediately responded by ordering 20 sacks of rice and 20 boxes of instant noodles, and preparing 300 boxes of ready-to-eat vegan meals using approximately US$4,221 from our Association members’ contributions.
By January 22 over 37,000 people had been displaced. Many roads and transportation facilities had collapsed, and an electrical blackout had occurred due to the heavy flooding. Since a large area was affected by the flood and some roads were impassable, two groups were formed to distribute the relief supplies in West and East Jakarta.
After distributing the goods to approximately 1,000 people and over 100 young children at the West Jakarta Rawa Buaya Emergency Shelter, we asked the residents what other items were most urgently needed. Some mothers with babies said they were in need of baby food, so we purchased and distributed 30 packages of various types of vegan baby food. The mothers were delighted to receive the supplies as they had been anxiously waiting to feed their babies nutritious food. In addition to the food, 1,000 blankets were distributed at disaster camps in West Jakarta, particularly where many children were staying.
In East Jakarta, with help from the nearby Loving Hut restaurant, we distributed 1,800 boxes of ready-to-eat rice, enough to last for three days, and with volunteer help from the local Red Cross, 1,000 sarongs were also distributed. Loving Hut is an international family of restaurants inspired by Supreme Master Ching Hai that offers delicious, affordable vegan cuisine to the growing number of people choosing the compassionate vegan lifestyle. We were glad that Loving Hut was able to address the people’s immediate needs.
By January 24, the water had receded in most of the areas affected by the flooding, allowing the families in these regions to return to their homes to begin cleaning up the water damage and start life anew.
We are deeply grateful for the love and protection of Supreme Master Ching Hai, Who blessed all those involved in the crisis relief. Many of our Association members joined in helping those affected by the flood, even while their own homes were flooded. We pray that such a disaster will not happen again and that the lives of the people of Jakarta will soon return to normal.
Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association
for Flood Relief Work in Jakarta, Indonesia
| Description | Amount (IDR) | Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 blankets and sarongs | 27,000,000 | A |
| Food (20 boxes of instant noodles, 20 sacks of rice, 20 loaves of bread, 20 boxes of baby soymilk, 20 boxes baby biscuits, 10 boxes of baby instant porridge, biscuits and candy, and 1,800 boxes of ready-to-eat vegan rice) | 13,878,640 | B |
| Total | IDR 40,878,640 (US$4,220.95) |
