The Supreme Master Ching Hai
By Tainan, Formosa News Team (Originally in Chinese)
On February 6, 2016, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Meinong District, Kaohsiung City, Formosa, destroying nine buildings in Tainan City in its wake. The tilted structures included the market building in Shanshang District, a four-story building on 103 Lane in Changdong Street, East District, the ten-story King’s Town Bank in Xinhua District and a seven-story building on North Xinyi Road in Guiren District. A three-story building on Shenkeng Third Street in Guanmiao District also collapsed. Among all the structures, the most seriously damaged was the 16-story Weiguan Jinlong building. In total, 117 people lost their lives and 551 were injured.
Upon hearing the news of the disaster, Supreme Master Ching Hai expressed Her deep concern, sending Her prayers and sorrowful condolences to all those affected. She immediately provided a relief fund, and instructed our Association members to send aid and necessities as needed. She added that Her heart is with all the victims, and all the Formosan people.
Tainan City Mayor, the Honorable Dr. Lai Ching-Te, (NFT: medical doctor) and the President of Executive Yuan, His Excellency Dr. Chang San-Cheng, (NFT: PhD) were at ground zero to assess the situation. Firefighters, rescue teams and the national army joined the rescue effort. The wounded were sent to hospitals, and the displaced were sent to nearby schools or local community centers. The most severely damaged areas were sealed off to the general public, where the government assigned dedicated personnel to help the people. Many non-governmental organizations also provided assistance.
Visiting Displaced Families After the Earthquake in Tainan City, Formosa – February 6 to 7, 2016
Our Association members from Tainan went to ground zero to provide care soon after the earthquake struck. At that time, there were enough relief supplies. We conveyed Master’s abundant love and blessing, and prayed for the safety of the victims.
On February 7, to provide further assistance to the affected people, a rescue team formed by our Association members from other Formosan Centers also went to the affected area. We shared Master’s love and blessing, giving care, comfort and financial assistance to the victims. Later we visited the victims staying at the Municipal Hospital, Chi-Mei Hospital, Shangrila Far Eastern Plaza Hotel and Hsu-Tsuo Activity Center in Gueiren District. We went to comfort the families who lost their loved ones.
All of our Association members in Tainan were safe, and had begun to repair their homes. Our Tainan Center Association members will continue to watch the development in the affected area, keep in contact with the rescue team, and provide necessary support for the victims who have not yet received help. Our sincere thanks to all of the rescue team members for their hard work. We pray for those who were affected by the devastating quake.
Distributing Financial Aid to the Earthquake Victims and Expressing Master’s Love and Care in Yujing District of Tainan City, Formosa – February 13, 2016
On February 13, our Association members surveyed the stricken area in Yujing District of Tainan City where approximately 60 houses were damaged and 30 more were severely damaged, with 1,000 households affected in total, as many buildings were deemed unsafe. Fortunately there were no casualties in Yujing District.
The affected people accepted the consolation fund from Supreme Master Ching Hai with deep appreciation. Two of the victims gladly accepted Master’s publications, but asked our Association members to give the money to those with more urgent needs. This selfless act deeply moved our Association members. Upon receiving the fund, one of the displaced victims who was staying in a hotel said, “I have watched the Supreme Master Television before. Master still remembers us…” Seeing his emotional reaction, the hotel manager also asked for Master’s publications.
At the Veterans General Hospital, the chief nurse voluntarily asked on behalf of the earthquake victims in the hospital if they could receive Master’s consolation fund. When the victims received Master’s publications in addition to the fund, they were overjoyed. Our Association members also conveyed to them Master’s love and blessing.
In the evening of February 13, Tainan City Mayor, the Honorable Dr. Lai Ching-Te, announced that the 180-hour rescue mission had been completed. A list of affected households and those in need of attention was still being compiled. The mayor and city officials bowed, thanking all the rescue teams for their aid as well as the international community for their support.
Distributing Consolation Funds to Victims of the Earthquake in Yongkang District of Tainan City, Formosa – March 19, 2016
A survey indicated many of the earthquake victims were still in need of aid. On March 19, our Association members went to Kunshan Activity Center in Yongkang District of Tainan City. We distributed TWD 3,000 to each family of 47 households, hoping to help them overcome any difficulties, and have a positive attitude towards their future.
For the relief work, a total of TWD 965,000 was distributed to affected households or individuals, of which TWD 800,000 was contributed by Supreme Master Ching Hai, and TWD 165,000 was contributed by our Association members from different Centers in Formosa.
Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association for Earthquake Relief Work in Tainan, Formosa
| Description | Amount (TWD) | Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| Consolation fund for those affected by the earthquake (TWD 2,000 each to 57 households) | 114,000 | A |
| Consolation fund for the wounded (TWD 5,000 each to 62 individuals) | 310,000 | |
| Consolation fund for those who lost loved ones (TWD 10,000 to each of the 40 survivors) | 400,000 | |
| Consolation fund (TWD 3,000 each to 47 households) | 141,000 | |
| Total | TWD 965,000 (US$29,004) |
Relief Work – March 19, 2016
Relief Work – February 14, 2016
Relief Work – February 13, 2016
Relief Work – February 7, 2016
Relief Work – February 6 – 7, 2016
