Love in Action


Chile

 

 

Reaching Out to Those Affected by Chile’s “White Earthquake”

By the Santiago Relief Team (Originally in Spanish)

 

In July 2011, inhabitants of the southern Araucanía region of Chile struggled to dig themselves out after a severe snowstorm left up to three meters of snow in some areas. Considered the worst such event in three decades, the storm was nicknamed the “White Earthquake” due to the difficulty in getting aid to those in need. In the town of Lonquimay, over 6,500 residents were trapped in their homes after the snow reached levels of 2.3 meters.

Conveying Master’s love and heartfelt prayers, a relief team of our Association members from Chile’s capital Santiago visited Lonquimay from August 6 to 9 to provide emergency aid to local residents, who are mainly members of the Pehuenche ethnic group. After consulting officials from the Municipality of Lonquimay and Hogar de Cristo, the team decided to reach out to families living in the higher elevations of the Andes. Through God’s grace, the skies cleared when the team set out, and with help from the area’s Municipal Emergency Manager, Ms. Ximena Ibacache, they distributed food and supplies to 21 families. The recipients were deeply moved by the loving atmosphere of the relief effort, and the community leaders asked the team to return later for a meeting, so they could hear more about Master and Her message of love.

During the meeting, the team presented the Mayor of Lonquimay, Mr. Guillermo Vasquez, with Master’s letter to world leaders, Her book, From Crisis to Peace, and other publications. We pray that extreme weather events such as the Chilean snowstorm diminish as humanity strives to live in peace with nature and animals, as is the tradition of  the pure-hearted Pehuenche people.

Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai
International Association for Winter Storm Relief Work
in Lonquimay, Chile

Description Amount(CLP)
Receipt
Food (rice, noodles, lentils, beans, salt, sugar, tea and tomato sauce), matches and toilet paper
1,750,000
A
Dog food, cat food and food and salt for cows
1,013,000
B
Transportation
346,000
C
Total
3,109,000
(US$6,692)