Providing Comfort for the Earthquake Affected

On August 11, 2012, two earthquakes of magnitudes 6.4 and 6.3 struck northwestern Iran, with the area near the city of Tabriz suffering great damage. It was reported that over 300 people lost their lives, 5,000 were injured, and hundreds of residents had to be rescued from under the rubble of collapsed buildings. On the first night after the quake, approximately 16,000 people in the affected area were given emergency shelter but were still in need of food, water and tents. Upon receiving Master’s loving contribution of US$30,000, our Association members in Iran quickly prepared relief supplies, organized a relief team, and travelled to Tabriz on August 14. The team packed the items in 1,000 bags, each containing blankets, a tent, food, and daily necessities, and on August 16 and 17 distributed the bags to affected families in 45 villages, while conveying Master’s deep concern and sympathy.

From September 25 to October 30, with the remaining US$2,000 from Master’s fund and a US$4,000 contribution from local Association members, more relief teams travelled to earthquake-affected regions near Tabriz in East Azerbaijan Province, where they distributed much-needed bread and medicine, and 350 safe, efficient heaters suitable for use in tents. The team also gave cash assistance to families in need, the disadvantaged and the elderly, and distributed bicycles and dolls to children in rural areas. The villagers, both adults and children, were deeply grateful for Master’s kind gesture of providing them with much-needed items in their time of need.

The Iranian initiates thank Master for the love, care and support She showed their fellow citizens, and pray that calamities such as the recent earthquake will subside as more people adopt the compassionate way of living, the vegan diet.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association for Earthquake Relief Work in Iran

Description	Amount (IRR)	Receipt
Food (bread and canned vegan food), juice and medicine	197,283,262	A
Supplies (tents, blankets, clothing, shoes, personal hygiene items, and utensils); 350 heaters	607,336,500	B
Cash assistance to 35 affected families, the disadvantaged and the elderly	23,300,000
Bicycles and dolls for children	27,700,000	C
Transportation, communication and other miscellaneous expenses for the relief team	13,165,000	D
Total	IRR868,784,762 (US$34,035)