Sharing Gifts of Love in Southern France Following Severe Flooding

By France Relief Team (Originally in French)

At the end of September 2014, torrential rains caused severe flooding in the south of France, forcing more than 4,000 people to seek emergency shelters. The coastal city of Montpellier was affected by the overflow of the Lez River. About 60 towns in the region were declared natural disaster sites.

Heeding Supreme Master Ching Hai’s loving advice to help those in need, our Association members from southern France formed two teams and visited the most affected areas from October 3 to 6. Relief supplies were purchased and cash assistance was distributed for a total of EUR 2,906 from Master’s relief fund.

Members of one of our teams stayed in Montpellier and the nearby towns. We met the local citizens, inquired about their situation and shared with them gift packages containing vegan snacks such as chocolate, cookies and tea as well as Master’s publications. Fortunately no one suffered heavy material loss.

Our second team drove to the west of Montpellier, where a dozen of towns and villages were severely damaged by the rains. In Puilacher, we gave a man who has worked 40 years as a volunteer in Lourdes EUR 200 along with a bag of gifts. In Saint-Pargoire, one of the most affected villages, we gave a total of EUR 2,200 to four needy families through the assistance of a municipal official. We also shared a gift bag with the municipal staff and the mayor.

Our team members were extremely grateful for Master’s guidance and the relief fund She graciously provided to help our brethren in southern France during this urgent time.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai for Flood Relief Work in France