In recent years, disastrous floods have caused much damage in Au Lac. The recent deluge, occurring between July 28 and 30 of this year (1999), was the largest in the region for the last 48 years and wreaked great havoc on human life and property in Binh Thuan City. According to statistical data released by the office of flood protection in Binh Thuan City, as of August 5, 1999, the death toll and number of missing persons caused by the flooding stood at 28. Adding to the country's devastation are the loss of homes and property: 1,128 houses have been swept away by the flood waters while more than 2,000 houses have collapsed; 20,687 hectares of crops have been ruined, 427 km of roads damaged, 67 bridges destroyed, and many schools, gas stations and utility stations, which serve the public needs have been rendered useless.
The people in Binh Thuan have long endured hardships, and now the
flooding has left approximately 20,521 people homeless, and without
food, urgently in need of immediate relief. Many governmental radio
and television stations and newspapers have urgently appealed for
assistance; associations, individuals, charitable organizations,
and religious groups, from overseas and domestic, have responded
with relief measures. From abroad, the Supreme Master Ching Hai,
acutely aware of the loss and suffering endured by the people of
Au Lac and especially the flood victims in Binh Thuan City, immediately
dispatched a representative team to offer relief and render monetary
aid in the amount of $US40,000 (valued at $VN 556,400,000).
Upon receiving Master's instructions, the team departed immediately, arriving in Au Lac on August 15, 1999. Under conditions of great difficulty regarding transportation due to floods and torrential rains, we delivered the monetary assistance into the hands of victims in the districts of Ham Tan, Tanh Linh, and Duc Linh, with each household receiving an envelope containing $VN 300,000. In addition, we distributed monetary assistance to local educational groups, people living under extraordinary hardships, the elderly, the handicapped (see the listed table), etc. Special consideration was given to families with relatives that had been swept away by the raging waters.
Among the unfortunate situations we encountered, the most pitiful situation was that of Mr. Hoang Trong Nga whose mental condition had not returned to normal even many days after he had helplessly witnessed the raging current sweep away his mother, wife, and children. His extreme pain was indescribable. The empathetic condolences and helping hands offered to him and the many others in similar circumstances by the various associations and groups helped to somewhat diminish the suffering imposed by the new hardships on these long-suffering people.
Despite traveling to remote places under torrential rains and with poor road conditions, the joy on the faces of the local people, the sincerity and thoughtfulness of the local leaders, and the deep heartfelt appreciation of the local government, made us quickly forget our arduous trip. Although the monetary assistance was small in comparison to the overall damage, it nevertheless expressed Master's love and understanding of the suffering endured by the people of Binh Thuan. Again, we thank God, we thank Master, for bestowing love on suffering sentient beings, and we also thank the local leaders for their assistance in helping us in our mission to help alleviate the pain and suffering of the disaster victims.
We parted in joy and love, and with touching emotion, we said "good-bye" to the people of Binh Thuan City.
 |
Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed
US$40,000 ($VN556,400,000) to
help flood victims in Au Lac.
|
Many houses were destroyed |
Listed Detail Report on Relief Work in Binh Thuan, Au Lac:
|
Name of Recipient Local Organization |
Purpose |
AmountReceived ($VN) |
See Attach. |
|
1 Tan Binh Village
2 Lagi City
3 Tan Xuan Village
4 Tan Minh Village
5 Tan Ha Village
6 Tan Thien Village
7 Tanh Linh District Committee
8 Sung Nhon Village
9 Me Pu Village
10 Ham Tan District Committee
11 Duc Linh District People's Committee
12 Binh Thuan Fellow Initiates
13 Victims with Extraordinary Hardship
14 Tan An Village |
Disaster Related Hunger Relief
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
Assistance to Local Education
Disaster Relief
" "
" "
" " |
99,900,000
45,000,000
30,000,000
30,000,000
16,200,000
15,000,000
60,000,000
50,400,000
51,000,000
13,615,000
30,000,000
73,500,000
26,785,000
15,000,000 |
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N |
|
Total: |
$VN556,400,000 = $US40,000
|
|
Receipts for Relief Work in Binh Thuan, Au Lac |
Love
in Action
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and Aid to 921 Jiji Earthquake Disaster Victims