By Paris Relief Team, France (Originally
in English)
On May 20, 2012, an earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck northern Italy, leaving thousands homeless and damaging over 100 historic structures. With Supreme Master Ching Hai’s blessing and fund of EUR20,800, a relief team of our Association members from Paris, France arrived in the area on May 24 to render aid. Concerned about others affected by the quake,
the team then traveled to the city of Cento, where the mayor directed
them to more shelters. Relief materials were next given to residents
of the hard-hit municipality of Finale Emilia in Modena, and EUR6,000
was presented to Mayor Fernando Ferioli to aid people in hard-to-reach
areas. Only when they were sure they had visited all the camps in
the region did the team members return to France, encouraged by the
thought that Master’s love had helped alleviate the suffering
of many people, and had brought hope and joy into their lives. Expressing
the community’s thanks for Master’s financial contribution,
a Finale Emilia newspaper said it was “a gesture that goes beyond
symbolic value and that will place the first brick for the rebuilding
of our Finale.” May all those recovering from the earthquake
be blessed with a speedy return to normal life, and such calamitous
events cease as humanity grows in kindness toward all beings. 
Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
 Italy / Iran / India / Bangladesh / Mainland China
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After
assessing the needs of those affected, the team visited makeshift
shelters through the arrangement of the Ferrara Civil Protection Department,
and purchased a large quantity of basic necessities. The team then
distributed the items and made more trips for supplies as new requests
were received. They also contributed EUR10,000 to the Association
of Volunteers of the Ferrara Civil Protection Department to ensure
that earthquake-relief efforts would continue, and another EUR1,500
for the purchase of protective clothing for local relief workers.
