Relief efforts in flood-hit areas, northeastern India

By Formosan Relief Team (Originally in Chinese)

On June 13, 2018, Assam, Tripura, and Manipur in northeastern India were continuously hit by heavy rains and floods. Many villages near the rivers were affected. Tragically, at least 23 people lost their lives and hundreds of thousands were affected. Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately donated US$30,000 and instructed our Association members to dispatch a relief team to India to assist the victims. Our Association members from Formosa immediately formed a relief team and embarked on disaster relief on June 24.

Dr. Seema Kumar, who had previously helped our relief team, along with her husband, Mr. Rohit Kumart Singh, and a local fellow initiate joined us to assist the relief efforts. We are grateful for their invaluable support. On June 25, our relief team went in two groups respectively towards Manipur and Tripura to aid the victims.

Disaster relief in Manipur:

On June 26th, one group arrived at the Manipur government’s disaster relief agency and learnt that the local government relief agency had already withdrawn. Our team then immediately visited the Director of the Security Department instead, for advice. On June 27, in order to hasten the relief activities, our team members collaborated with the local Rotary Club. Meanwhile, we were also fortunate to receive the kind assistance from State Legislator, Mr. Lourembam Rameshwor, thus ensuring the expedient delivery of relief supplies.

From June 28 to June 29, our relief team purchased rice, oil, salt, and beans, which the flood affected needed most according to the advice of the State Legislator. The team prepared 600 relief packages in total, each providing 30 kilograms of supplies for each affected household.

On June 30, we delivered supplies to Arpati Mayai Leikai of Imphal East, the most affected area. Due to the river’s levee breach, the Hindu and Muslim residents living along both sides of the river had suffered severe flooding. Our team members rapidly distributed the packed supplies to those in need, first to the Hindu area in the morning, and then to the Muslim area in the afternoon. After the flood, most of the farmland in the disaster area was inundated. The loving relief supplies from Master were like gifts from Heaven, helping the inflicted get through this most difficult time. Everyone gratefully and joyfully, thanked Master.

Disaster relief in Tripura:

Before our second group arrived at Tripura, our members contacted the local government for up to date information about the situation in the disaster area and the needs of the flood affected families. On June 26, upon arrival at the disaster area, our team purchased 1,000 packages of relief goods from local suppliers. Each package contained 1 kilogram of chura (flattened rice), 500 grams of sattu (mixed grain flour), 1 kilogram of sugar, and 2 litres of clean drinking water, a traditional woman’s dress (saree), a traditional man’s attire (dhoti), matchboxes, towels, etc.. Also, we visited Dhalai, a disaster area in the northeastern part of the state, to meet with the local government official, Mr. Vikas Singh, who informed us that Unakoti was the most severely afflicted area in Tripura.

On June 27, the Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, Mr. Birajit Sinha, provided details on the calamities in the Unakti area: in some areas the flood water reached up to one third of the buildings height; the roads and 500 homes in the low-lying areas were ruined by the floods; in some regions, the vast inundated area looked almost like a sea; two lives were sadly lost; and 40,000 people were affected by the flood.

On June 29, having prepared 1,000 packages of supplies, our relief team arrived at Kailashahar, the council city of Unakti. The trees, buildings, bridges, and roads along the way were all damaged by the flood, and traffic was severely obstructed. In some low-lying areas along the way, the water had not receded. We also witnessed many people struggling to rebuild their homes. Mr. Birajit Sinha gratefully put Master’s large photo on a billboard. He also provided a list of affected households to assist in the distribution of relief packages. Many casualties told us: “I am very grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for providing supplies when we needed them most.”

Disaster relief in Assam:

After completing the relief work in Manipur and Tripura, both groups of rescuers flew to Assam. With the wonderful support of Dr. Seema Kumar and Mr. Rohit Kumart Singh and our fellow initiates in India to contact the local people, our team members learned the specific needs of those severely affected villages before going to Assam. On July 1st, we completed the procurement and packing of 1,000 relief packages. On July 2, our relief team went to the disaster area near Guwahati. Assisted by local government officials and 15 enthusiastic volunteers, we distributed 400 packages of relief supplies in Kopalkata, and 300 packages in Jarikuchui and Nortup respectively. Each package weighed 13 kilograms. Many of the victims in these three areas lived on the other side of the mountain, where life is very difficult. After this flood, the situation became even harder. During the disaster relief operation, local government officials also introduced Supreme Master Ching Hai and the benefits of a vegan diet to the residents. All residents were very grateful to Master for Her timely aid.

The disaster relief work was successfully completed on July 2. We thank all the angels involved in the relief operation! Through their compassionate help, those in need were filled with Master’s boundless love and blessing, just like a sleeping baby rests in the warm arms of God. We also thank the media for reporting the relief efforts of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, in the hope of encouraging more people to provide heartfelt care and share the purest love for all who are in need, as we work together to rebuild their homes, creating a brighter future for all.

Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai for Aiding Flood Victims in Northeast India