Relief Reports

 
   
     The Willamette river caused destruction to some areas of the historically famous city along the river.
(From The Sunday Oregonian, U.S.A.)1996.2.18

By Lucy Liao, Reporter of Supreme Master Ching Hai News, Oregon, U.S.A.

Since early February, a cold front had spread throughout the U.S.A., especially in Oregon and Washington, the states on the northwest Pacific coast, which were attacked by unusually severe cold weather. Heavy snowfalls at the end of January trapped many places in thick ice and snow for as long as a week. It caused interruptions of power supply and obstacles in roads. Although temperatures had risen since February, torrential rain and melting snow led to flooding in a vast area. The water level of the Willamette River in Oregon and the Columbia River in Washington State had risen considerably, with flooding occurred in many areas. Possessions were lost, homes ruined, and a number of people lost their lives or were injured. It was estimated that more than twenty thousand residents in Oregon were forced out of their homes by the flooding and they were urgently in need of help.

According to reports from the American Red Cross, eleven counties were most seriously affected. They were Clackamas, Washington, Hood River, Benton, Lynn, Marion, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane County and Deschutes.

The Mayor of Portland, Oregon requested volunteers to provide assistance to the people in the affected areas. Both the Governors of Oregon and Washington States declared this an emergency situation. President Clinton also visited the seriously affected areas.

As soon as Supreme Master Ching Hai learned about the disaster, She transferred fifteen thousand U.S. dollars and instructed fellow practitioners to carry out relief activities. When the fellow practitioners found that large quantities of blankets were needed by the victims to endure the cold nights, they divided themselves into several groups and, in a very short time, purchased the blankets in department stores and delivered them to the Red Cross that provided shelter for the victims. The staff of the Red Cross were deeply touched by Master concern and prompt support.

    As the flooding covered a vast area, a great number of families were affected. Many more volunteers were needed to take part in the relief work. Supreme Master Ching Hai was concerned about the situation, and repeatedly called the fellow practitioners for updated informations on the situation of the disaster and the victims. The fellow practitioners also maintained contact with several relief organizations to obtain the latest briefing of the disaster. They also followed Master's instructions and visited the seriously affected areas, to observe at the scene what the victims most urgently needed and to provide any timely help to them possible.

The New Port and Eugene areas were the most seriously affected. Fellow practitioners went there, taking with them the most urgently needed items such as food, medicine and cleaning supplies, and distributed them themselves. When they arrived in Vernonia, they saw that almost all the houses were destroyed, and mud and sand on the ground were a few feet high. The victims were trying to salvage what was left of their furniture. With Master's love, fellow practitioners had brought them in time what they urgently needed, cleaning supplies and others provisions. Feeling the sincere concern for them, the victims were moved to tears. In such a time of suffering, they needed spiritual support and consolation the most.

Some of the victims worried about their family members with whom they had lost contact as they went to the shelters. Fellow practitioners attentively enquired about their needs and offered them blankets, cleaning supplies and food, etc. Master's love and blessing comforted their hearts.

The representative of the local Salvation Army, who accompanied the fellow practitioners on their trip, was moved deeply by Master's way of providing relief, and so especially wrote a thank you letter to express their gratitude.

Victims and volunteers salvaging furniture amidst the ruins.

Expenditure Details Of Flood Relief In USA From Supreme Master Ching Hai

others /// blankets /// cleaning /// others /// foods /// blankets /// clothing