|
|
| Love in Action |
Erratic climate brought 30% more rain than usual down on Sudan in August 2008. As a result, the southern state, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, suffered severe flooding. A total of 12,731 households in five counties—Aweil Central, East, South, West and North—were displaced. A state of emergency was declared in the region in early October.
Master’s love and the sincerity of the Association members touched the hearts of many. The UNJLC quickly arranged for the transportation of the supplies, packed with 1,500 SOS flyers, to Aweil on UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights and other partnership flight services. The PSI helped distribute the tablets and taught people how to use them. The relief team also distributed 2,300 SOS flyers at UN offices, universities, hotels and airports. Recipients expressed gratitude for the important message, with some asking for more information. A university teacher encouraged the team to continue this inspirational effort to benefit the country. Through God’s unfathomable blessings and power, on this first-ever
trip to Sudan by Association members, all plans and arrangements fell
into place under Master’s loving grace. May the people of Sudan
live a more peaceful, harmonious and happy life, fortified and nourished
by God’s timely blessings.
| ||||||||||||||
The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association’s relief team from Cameroon arrived in Aweil on October 21. After learning that the UN and numerous nongovernmental organizations had launched relief efforts in the other four counties, the Cameroon Relief Team soon flew to Juba, the regional capital of Southern Sudan, to determine the needs of the people. With the assistance of Mr. Thomas, a coordinator of the UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC), the team found that water purification tablets were desperately needed as people were using water directly from the flooded rivers. They contacted an NGO called Population Services International (PSI). When Mme. Miranda and Mr. Peter of the PSI learned of their intention, they offered over 70% discount. This maximized the use of Master’s US$10,000 contribution, which could then pay for 125 cartons of water purification tablets that could last 10,500 households for one month.
