Loving Support for Disaster Victims

In early 2010, a massive landslide in Hunza, Northern Pakistan blocked the Karakoram Highway and the Hunza River, resulting in two villages being submerged. The Pakistani government immediately evacuated the inhabitants and relocated them to safety at higher altitudes. However, heavy rainfall and the steadily rising water levels continued to threaten the overflow of a lake. By the end of June, some 45,000 people had to take refuge in the 20 shelters around Hunza. The coming of winter aggravated the situation which affected the livelihood of those in that area as temperatures plunged and there was an insufficient supply of food. Upon learning of their ordeal, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately allocated a US$15,000 fund and directed our Association members to offer help to the victims.

On December 8, a relief team formed by our Formosan Association members arrived in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. On their visit to the National Disaster Control Center the next day, they learned that a shelter in Southern Hunza was in desperate need of aid while another in Skardu was in worse condition. The relief team quickly purchased food and blankets, then set out for Skardu on December 15. However, due to an unexpected emergency situation in the country, their trip was cut short and they entrusted the distribution work to All Green, a local NGO, who handed out a total of 400 food packages and 160 blankets to people in Skardu and Hunza on December 19 and 20.

The relief team thank God for helping them to overcome difficulties so the people in plight could receive much needed materials with Master’s love through a local NGO.

In March 2011, a flood disaster hit the Murree region, 59 km northeast of Islamabad, affecting 3,000 households. Supreme Master Ching Hai compassionately contributed US$15,000 and instructed our Association members to go and assist those affected.

Our relief team from Formosa arrived in Islamabad on March 26 and immediately went to the devastated area to assess the situation. They found that even though many organizations had already provided the victims with food, they still needed things to keep them warm. Therefore, the relief team purchased 600 blankets and distributed them to 300 households in nine villages. They also prepared some sweets for the children. The recipients were overjoyed with these gifts.

We pray that people will adopt a vegan lifestyle to live in harmony with nature to avoid such calamities in the future.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai for Landslide
and Flood Relief in Pakistan

Description	Amount		Receipt
Description	Local Currency	US$	Receipt
For Landslide Relief: Food (rice, flour, salt, lentils, oil, sugar) Blankets	Pakistan Rupee 1,281,000	15,000	P1
For Flood Relief: Blankets		15,000	P2
Total	US$30,000

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