In late June, 2007 Cyclone Yemyin swept through coastal areas of Pakistan, where it caused severe flooding as well as widespread damage to properties. Hundreds of thousands of villagers were left without food and shelter. Concerned about the plight of the cyclone victims, our compassionate Master sent financial support of US$30,000 to help with the relief efforts. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief team formed by Singapore and Hong Kong fellow initiates arrived in Karachi, Pakistan on June 30.

The relief team visited affected areas to assess the situation. Houses and property were damaged. Villagers needed relief aid, especially since some had lost their jobs and were living on loans. Conditions of poor health and even malnutrition were common.

The medical team purchased medicine at large discounts from a drugstore owner in Karachi. We also bought a carton of local herbal soap bars known to be effective for easing skin ailments. We set up a clinic under a tree in Gadab Town, where we treated 120 patients in joint consultation with a local volunteer, Dr. Khamiso.

During the next few days, recommendations by the survey team directed the medical team to Thatta Town and Sakro Town about three hours from Karachi. Another local consultant, Dr. M. Adam, volunteered his services, while young volunteers from Karachi filled prescriptions for about 130 patients that day.

Over the next two days, Dr. Adam arranged for a classroom as clinic and notified villagers in six nearby villages. With the help of Dr. Adam and two other volunteers, Dr. Mumtaz Ali and Dr. Niaz Ali, who took turns in consultation, we managed to treat around 500 patients in Thatta. A similar clinic was set up in a village in Sakro Town, where 200 villagers were treated with the help of another volunteer, Dr. Gham Nobi.

The medical team members were grateful to our dear Master for the opportunity to serve on this land, where we met many people of saintly qualities who sacrificed a lot to help our mission. Despite the harsh rural landscape, we were grateful for Master’s constant care and convenient arrangement. It rained lightly a few times, which was uncommon during the monsoons, but ensured that villages were not cut off. The sky remained overcast most of the time, shielding us from the scorching heat of the Pakistani summer.

The local doctors were happy to put our large inventory of medicine and vitamins to good use, as they lacked medical resources and most villagers could not afford medical care. The villagers in remote regions were also happy to receive treatment and the Alternative Living flyers in their local language. Many Muslim clerics came and thanked Master for helping the locals.

Relief team with local NGO and local volunteers

The relief team purchased foods including flour, rice, lentils, oil, biscuits and milk powder in Karachi and distributed them to villagers in Gadab Town, Thatta Town and Sakro Town. The villagers were thankful to our Association and Master for providing them with emergency supplies.

The relief team then proceeded to Keti Bandar, one of the worst-hit areas, where we distributed food supplies to the villages that were in dire need of food. We also delivered supplies to some nearby islands – the farthest being four hours away – via boat transport arranged by the World Wide Fund - Pakistan.

With Allah’s and God’s blessings, the relief team met many committed Pakistani volunteers whose assistance ensured the success of our effort.

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