This week long relief program covered the most severely affected areas in Yuanchiang City and Huarung County of Hunan Province which included the twelve towns of Nanzwei, Baisha, Sanyentang, Hsinhua,Sihushan, Gonghua, Hsinwan, Makonpu, Hsingfu, Nanshan, Tuanzhou andChutzeko, and 113 villages. 121,937 people received help. 413,050 kg of rice, 22,932 shirts and pants, 11,239 quilts, 5034 packs of soybean milk powder, and 16,580 boxes of sugar were purchased for an amount of RMB 2,441,240, very close to the amount that was givenby Supreme Master Ching Hai, which was US$300,000 or RMB 2,460,000.

When the Supreme Master Ching Hai relief team reached Huarung County, they went to the Civil Bureau to make sure all the relief supplies had arrived. A representative had been sent earlier to investigate and make sure the necessary purchases, so as soon as the whole team arrived, distribution could begin. In China, it's very difficult to acquire such large amounts of supplies in just a couple of days. For example, the clothing and quilts had to be ordered in advance. With God's blessing, many miracles occured, making it possible for the relief team to obtain all the necessary items.

Some unexpected incidents occurred during the relief activity. For example, the relief team had intended to purchase powdered milk for the infants, but after investigating it was observed that the local people preferred soybean milk powder instead. So, the latter was immediately purchased.

Among the victims were residents of five "Safe Homes "at looked after senior citizens over 60 years old without families to care for them, as well as orphans and handicapped people. These people were more in need of help than anyone else. In addition to the rice, clothing and quilts, the infants were given soybean milk powder and children between three and twelve and the elderly received a box of candy to provide caloric supplement.

The plan to purchase and distribute rice changed from one moment to the next. Originally, the relief team was told the rice shortage was more severe in Yuanchiang City than in Huarung County, so 10 kg of rice was allocated for each of the 13,929 villagers in the most severely damaged areas of Yuanchiang City. As Huarung County was not desperate for rice, the relief team decided not to give rice to that region. However, while the supplies were being distributed, many villages in that region also reported a shortage of rice. Therefore, an allocation of 10 kg of rice was distributed to as many households as the budget permitted. Thus, the total number of recipients increased to 121,937.

Also, when factories producing trousers ran short of supply, long underwear were ordered instead. Originally they worried the underwear would not be warm enough, but after the distribution, relief officials in several villages reported that the underwear was lighter, warmer and more practical than the trousers. In fact, the farmers found the trousers "bulky and awkward, " the relief staff were happy with the outcome of that arrangement.

Several days before the relief program officially started, the relief team distributed supplies in Huarung County in cooperation with the local relief offices. They began with the four worst affected areas: Hsingfu Village, Nanshan Village, Tuanchou Township and Chutzeko Township. Delegates from these areas came to a warehouse owned by the Huarung County Government's Civil Bureau, signed for the relief supplies, then returned to their respective towns or villages in the company of our relief team members. At thetown halls, the heads of the towns and villages signed for the goods, and once again our staff (most from H.K.) accompanied them to make sure the goods actually reached the people in need.

In Chunan Village in Chutzeko Township, some villagers were already airing their new quilts on their balcony. The December sun, bright and warm, melted the winter snow and brought forth a freshness of spring, just like God's tender love.

Residents of Tsaimin village, having received the rice, conveyed their most heartfelt feelings of joy. Along the river towards the south was the eastern bank, where floods had destroyed roads, leveled houses, and turned rice fields and lotus ponds into stagnating mires, villagers were already re-constructing a two-story brick house.

Tuanchou Township was the most severely damaged area. The houses near the broken bank were all leveled and belongings were washed away into Dongting Lake. Some people were able to retrieve dirty, ragged quilts once the water had receded. They put them in the sun, hoping to make new ones once they had dried. Homeless villagers had to make fires with pices of wood from broken fences to keep warm while the strong young workers were busy repairing the dam. Others were building houses in preparation for the snow.

Mothers, with babies in their arms, thanked us again and again upon receiving the milk powder and the quilts. Some villagers surrounded the truck loaded with supplies and caressed the quilts saying, "These quilts are new and good. Are they really for us? The reliefsupplies we received before were mostly used clothes and quilts, but it's different this time. "They asked us who our kind-heartedboss was. The relief team all replied, "Supreme Master Ching Hai wanted us todeliver these things to you. She is our teacher."

The residents in Gingchu Village and Huahsing Village, Nanshan Township were given quilts, clothing and other things in accordance to their needs. Not only were their houses and roads ruined by the flood, but also the street lamps, so electricity was not available in many places.

It was very similar in Hsingfu Township. Although many of its villages were in darkness, they did whatever they could to help with the distribution of the relief supplies. The articles that couldn't be delivered at night were distributed the next day.

The superintendent of the Civil Office in Hsingfu Township thanked us over and over, saying, "The government has surely helped us agreat deal, but it hasn't been able to take care of everyone. The supplies from your group have solved our problems completely. I believe no one will freeze to death this winter."

The Civil Bureau of the Huarung County insisted on thanking us officially. The local television station also took a few photographs of the staff distributing the relief supplies. But, of course, the one that they sould be most grateful to is Supreme Master Ching Hai. She heard the victims' cry for help and gave us a chance to do what we could. We thanked them for their kindness, but turned down their offer, asking nothing but their full cooperation to deliver the supplies to each victim as quickly as possible. That was the only thing that Supreme Master Ching Hai wanted. We distributed the supplies on December 21st and 22nd, and headed for Yuanchiang City atmidnight.

It was early morning when we arrived. Staff of the local relief office were at the warehouse waiting for us. After we checked the relief supplies, we were told that this flood was the most devastating one that Yuanchiang City had experienced in several hundred years. The water had risen to the second floor of houses --something local residents had never seen before. The whole city was submerged for an entire month, during which the residents had to resort to boats for transportation. Most were confined to their homes which became dirty and smelly like pigpens. Later, we learned that Hunan Province had the most prosperous pig industry in the whole country. They had originally expected it to improve their standard of living, but the deluge washed away their pigs and pigpens, leaving them destitute. This gave the relief team an excellent opportunity to explain to the people the benefits of keeping a vegetarian diet. If the people had been fed with the rice that was used to feed the pigs, they would have been able to resolve the shortage of food.

It was 7:00 pm on December 23rd when the relief staff finished loading the relief supplies for hsinwan Touwnship onto the trucks. The vice secretary, in charge of receiving the goods, told us that they were not leaving without having had dinner, and that they would only transport the goods to the town hall and distribute them the next day. Our staff, however, insisted that the goods be distributed to the victims as soon as possible -- that very night. Fortunately, the superintendent of the local civil office fully cooperated. He arranged truck drivers for us so we were albe to reach the most severely flooded villages of Nanchou and Peichou at about 9:00 pm.

The heads of the villages, as well as the assistant secretaries, summoned the villagers to help unload the trucks. When we told them these supplies came from Supreme Master Ching Hai, they were deeply touchedand excitedly asked, "What have we done to deserve so much help from you?" Some of the women burst into tears. With their flashlights, they moved forward to see Supreme Master Ching Hai's pictures pinned on our clothes. They had not expected Supreme Master Ching Hai to be a woman and were very pleased about this discovery.

Superintendent Sun, who had accompanied us for the distribution, told us again and again in a grateful tone, "You don't know how much you have really helped us. "Having received hundreds of letters asking for help, he didn't have very much to offer except some used clothing. But Supreme Master Ching Hai's relief supplies had really solved the residents' problems for the winter. He said, "Without your timely assistance, the lonely old people and children would surely have starved to death. I really don't know how to thank you enough. "

Other relief team members reached Nanzwei Township, Makonpu, Baisha Village, Gonghua, Sanyentang and Sihu Village on December 23rd and 24th to organize the distribution. Some of the villagers expressed their happiness that the relief supplies succesfully reached the victims. We also received a thank-you letter from the Makonpu government. (Please refer to appendix A.)

With Supreme Master Ching Hai's help, all the relief supplies were delivered to the victims by December 25th as timely and meaningful Christmas gifts. These things not only provided a solution to the victims' problems but also conveyed Supreme Master Ching Hai's love and care. This boundless universal love would bring them infinite light and hope for the new year.

Note: After the relief team completed the distribution in Yuanchiang City, there were still some supplies. The local orphanages and homes for senior citizens were contacted, and the remaining goods were given to these institutions via local relief offices.
 

Appendix A
Letter of Appreciation

Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association:

We, the residents of Baominwan Village, would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to you for the immense support we received from your organization in the form of rice, blankets, clothing, children's food, chocolate and other necessities. Even though floods are ruthless, human beings are merciful and compassionate. The genuine feelings of brotherly love shine through in times of crisis, reminding us that there are good people like you in this world who remember simple folks living in difficulties due to disasters.

Please be assured that under the leadership and concern of all levels of our government, and your tremendous support and assistance, we will commit ourselves to working diligently and striving constantly to become stronger. We will build up a sound production system to become self-reliant and prove ourselves worthy of the magnanimous love you have shown the people of Baominwan Village.

Here, let us salute you in the highest respect. We also wish you good health and success in all your endeavors.

Yours sincerely,

The staff at the Magongpu Street Office, Yuanchiang City, Hunan Province, and all the residents of Baominwan Village