Somalia

A Relief Effort Succeeds
in the Face of Adversity

By the Kenya News Group (Originally in Chinese)

The December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamis that ravaged South Asia also struck East Africa several thousand kilometers away. Huge tidal waves hit towns and villages along the eastern and northeastern coasts of Somalia, killing at least two hundred people, swallowing hundreds of fishing boats and leaving tens of thousands of victims in need of urgent relief. However, turmoil caused by an ongoing civil war discouraged international charity groups from launching relief operations in Somalia.

However, initiates from the Kenya Center of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association were not intimidated by the potential hardships and perils they might encounter in the war-torn nation, and so on January 5, 2005 they traveled to Magadishu, Somalia's capital, to offer Master's love and relief to the victims. With the earnest assistance of the mayors of Mogadishu and Marka, the practitioners visited devastated fishing villages, ghettos, hospitals, schools and orphanages, where they distributed monetary aid and daily necessities and consoled victims. Upon receiving Master's loving relief, the people smiled happily and expressed their sincere gratitude.

Although the aid operation was jeopardized by dangerous road conditions and other obstacles, thanks to Master's blessings the sisters and brothers smoothly accomplished their mission. In addition, on January 8 and 9, BBC World and the Mogadishu Radio Station aired news reports on Master's concern for the tsunami victims in Somalia. The BBC correspondent was greatly impressed by the initiates" courage in traveling to Somalia to render relief, saying, "God must be protecting you" during the interview.

The Kenya initiates are deeply grateful to Master for giving them the opportunity to bring material relief and convey Her love and concern to the suffering brothers and sisters of Somalia in their time of need.



Visiting tsunami victims living in a ghetto

Sacks of flour are loaded onto trucks for distribution in the affected areas.
 

Upon receiving Her monetary contribution, the Director of the Marka Hospital shakes hands with initiates and thanks Master for sending Her love and assistance from thousands of miles away.

The Director of the Hospital for Women and Children in Marka receives Master's loving support with a happy smile and expresses his heartfelt gratitude.

Fellow practitioners and the Mayor of Marka, Somalia discuss ways to render relief aid to disaster victims.

Offering monetary aid to a school representative in Marka

Presenting monetary relief to an orphanage


Immediately after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami struck, fellow practitioners from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association arrived in the affected regions in South Asia and East Africa to render relief and convey Master's love to the victims. For reports on this work, please tune in to our Internet TV program A Journey Through Aesthetic Realms Nos. 124, 125 and 126 on the CTiTV Entertainment Channel.

URL: http://www.Godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/hichannel/index.htm 
(English narration with Chinese subtitles)