On August 20 and 21, Ilocos Norte Province in northern Philippines was hit by Typhoon Nuri (known as Typhoon Karen in the Philippines). The heavy storm caused severe floods that devastated agricultural municipalities. Supreme Master Ching Hai was very concerned about the people and immediately allocated US$15,000 and dispatched a relief team to render aid in the affected areas.

On August 27, the Formosa Relief Team visited the Ilocos Norte Provincial Government to find out which areas were most heavily affected. The next day, they traveled to four of the municipalities — Becarra, Paoay, Dingras and Batac — to visit the victims and explore the situation. Their inhabitants were mainly farmers and 70 percent of the farmland was damaged. Farms on the river banks were destroyed because the soil beneath had been washed away.

The relief team visits the Municipal Mayor of Paoay to discuss the relief operation.

After an onsite inspection, the team decided to distribute relief supplies to 4,000 affected households in the four municipalities. Having to cover a vast area, they divided into two subteams, each responsible for purchasing and distributing the provisions at different locations. Staff members of the municipal government were highly efficient and very compassionate in helping them accomplish the task. When the people received their portion of relief materials, consisting of rice, noodles, oil, soy sauce, sugar and soap, they were delighted as if they had just received a loving gift from God. They thanked the beautiful Master for Her boundless love.

During the relief operation, SOS Climate Change flyers were also distributed, helping many people understand the connection between the vegetarian diet and global warming. The Barangay Captains (village chiefs) held the flyers in their hands while introducing Master and Her message on climate change. The Municipal Mayor of Paoay distributed the flyers at his meeting with the Barangay Captains, and asked for more flyers so he could introduce the message to more people at other important meetings. Members of the relief team are very grateful for God’s blessing that enabled them to purchase sufficient relief supplies and distribute them to 4,000 households in such a short time.

 
Expenditures of Relief Effort Rendered
by Supreme Master Ching Hai
to Typhoon Victims in the Philippines
                                                 
                                                (Currency: Philippino Peso)

* Throughout the relief operation, fellow initiates paid for their own transportation, food and accommodation expenses.

To view the Humanitarian Relief Activities by the Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association, please visit: http://www.GodsDirectContact.org.tw/humanitarian
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