A Blessed Relief Operation

Days of heavy rain had caused extensive flooding in Northern Aceh in December 2008, with water levels in some areas climbing 1.5 meters high and many villages submerged. Concerned about the situation, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately sent US$10,000 for the relief aid. On December 17, a group of local initiates arrived at the disaster-stricken Lhoksukon sub-district after traveling for six hours from Medan. All through the night, they packed relief aid containing food, supplies and SOS flyers at a rented place.

The next day, accompanied by personnel from the local Red Cross, three initiates went to the disaster area to hand out the packages to each of the village head, while others stayed behind to continue packing. The recipients were very grateful for Master’s care and one of them commented that their relief items were very useful and helpful. The initiates also visited a local shelter in Pantai Bidadari, where 38 displaced families were very happy to see them arrive. They gave 54 relief packages to the village head, who was very touched and said that God will repay Master’s compassion. Before they left, the initiates delivered five packages of medicine to the local Red Cross. With Master’s guidance and blessing, the relief operation was carried out smoothly.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
for the Flood Relief Work in North Aceh, Indonesia

Description	Amount (IDR)	Receipt
Food (water, biscuits and instant noodles)	47,700,000	A
Daily necessities (sarongs, towels and blankets)	42,521,000	B
Medicine	4,000,000	C
Miscellaneous expenses	2,089,000	D
Total	IDR96,310,000 (US$8,764)

* Throughout the relief operation, fellow initiates paid for their own transportation, food and accommodation expenses.

From April 24 to 28, 2009, in order to provide aid for the flood victims in East Kalimantan, our Association members from Bali, Jakarta and Balikpapan formed a relief team and went to Samarinda, where the flood waters had risen up to a meter high, and destroyed about 2,000 homes and many roads. With Master’s loving contribution of US$15,000 and assistance from the local Red Cross, the relief team prepared and delivered by boat 200 baby food packages as well as 1,000 other food packages to the victims in Temindung Permai Village, to the north of Samarinda, an area that hadn’t received much help since the flood. The recipients very happily accepted the gifts of food as their houses had been submerged in water for almost a week. In addition, doctors from the relief team, who had brought greatly needed medicines with them, worked together with the Red Cross to provide much-appreciated medical services to about 800 patients.

Touched by Master’s selfless love, the local people also volunteered to help with the relief work by packing supplies, providing transportation and giving material contributions. After explaining the main cause of global warming and its solution, SOS flyers were also shared with them. The relief team members are grateful to Master for Her blessings and arrangements that allowed them to successfully complete the four-day relief work.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
for the Flood Relief Work in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Description	Amount (IDR)	Receipt
Food (biscuits, baby food, milk, mineral water, soy sauce, tea)	30,062,000	A
Medicine	7,216,500	B
Total	IDR37,278,500 (USD3,420)

* Throughout the relief operation, fellow initiates paid for their own transportation, food and accommodation expenses.