Providing Vegan Food for Firefighters Battling Huge Market Blaze, South Korea

By Korea News Group (Originally in Korean)

On November 30, 2016, Seomun Market, the largest traditional market in Daegu City, South Korea, caught fire. Luckily there were no deaths or injuries. However, 839 shops were completely burned out, causing tremendous property damage. It took 870 firefighters 59 hours of working day and night to put out the fire completely.

On hearing the news, and following Supreme Master Ching Hai’s instruction to assist those in need, our Daegu Association members contacted the city’s public officers to inquire about ways to help. The officers told us that the firefighters needed food that could be consumed easily at the disaster site. Therefore, on December 2, which was a cold winter day, many of our Association members gathered at a local Loving Hut to prepare vegan food for the hard-working firefighters. In total, we made about 200 vegan gimbap (Korean seaweed rice rolls) and 500 vegan rice balls. Each rice ball contained various healthy ingredients, including burdock root, radishes, peanuts and beans. We also provided 1,000 bags of coffee and 10 boxes of tangerines.

Upon receiving the food, the city public officers expressed their deep appreciation. They were amazed to learn that Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association have been actively doing humanitarian work worldwide. For example, in 2003, Master sent US$30,000* to firefighters of Daegu City who were injured in a Daegu Subway fire disaster at that time. Our deep gratitude to Master for always reminding us that we should develop and expand our love. May Heaven bless all firefighters for their brave and noble work, and may all those whose property and businesses were affected by the fire, be blessed with a quick recovery.

*www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/146/love3.htm

Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for Fire Relief Work in South Korea