After extending loving assistance to the earthquake victims in western China in May of this year (for details, please refer to the report in News #198), fellow initiates conducted two additional relief efforts in August and September to bring more comfort to people affected by the two recent earthquakes in Sichuan.

On August 1, an aftershock measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck Sichuan, between Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County and Pingwu County in Mianyang. Many houses were damaged and people were left homeless. Master again extended Her love and concern to the victims and allocated a relief fund to help them. Fellow initiates purchased tents for the victims and provided shingles for roof repair. Relief cash was distributed to people in desperate need. Upon learning that the water supply to four towns had been disrupted, on August 4 the relief team purchased 2,600 meters of water pipes for the areas most in need of water.

On September 6 and 7, our Association members overcame numerous difficulties to finally reach Pingxi Village in Pingwu’s Shuiguan Township, where they distributed winter clothes, books and stationery to the elderly people and children.

September 14 was Mid-Autumn Festival, and our Association members brought Master’s love and blessing to Mianchi Secondary School in Wenchuan County. After giving each of its 540 students a set of warm clothing, fellow initiates celebrated this traditional festival, singing and dancing with students and teachers in the disaster area.

Rendering Relief to Earthquake Victims in Regions between Sichuan and Yunnan

On August 30, another earthquake of 6.1 magnitude caused heavy casualties and severe damage in Panzhihua’s Renhe region and Huili County of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, as well as Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province.

Yunnan

On September 1, fellow initiates purchased tents, nylon canvas sheets, quilts and food; and two days later, they arrived at the heavily stricken Jiangyi Township with the provisions. Officials at the Relief Command Post greeted them warmly and said with delight, “It is wonderful that you have brought these big tents. You have come just in time, because the students will soon be resuming their study and these tents can be used as their classrooms.”

More relief items were delivered to the Yongren County Government Office, where the Quake Prevention Office immediately arranged for guides to take the relief team to the heavily affected Dabaoguan Village in Weidi. According to County Magistrate Qi, the love and concern from the relief team brought optimism to the victims.

Sichuan

The next day, fellow initiates from Panzhihua City and Yunnan Province went to assess another disaster area, and two relief teams were formed. One team delivered to Jiangzhu the tents, blankets and bath towels that were provided by the Chengdu fellow initiates. They were distributed just in time to the victims, thanks to helpful arrangements by the local Quake Prevention Office. The second relief team purchased 20 packs of nylon canvas sheets and delivered them to Dalongtan, where villagers were moved to tears.

On September 8, the initiates brought a batch of nylon canvas sheets to people in the heavily devastated Huili County. Later, they purchased 15 big tents for the schools in Lixi and 200 quilts for the citizens in Panzhihua.  

All fellow practitioners who had participated in the relief efforts found that the Chinese people and government officials have become more broadminded and are more willing to help and trust each other. Within hours of the earthquake, soldiers had rushed to the devastated areas to render relief, restore traffic, and provide basic necessities to survivors. In every town or village that they visited, government officials could be seen offering assistance and the best possible care. In all the affected regions, volunteer workers and people from charitable groups worked hard to help the victims. Even shop owners and truck drivers lent fellow initiates a hand to purchase and transport relief materials in an eagerness to ease the suffering of their compatriots. It was wonderful to witness China’s elevation and progress, which is reflected in its open-minded government and selfless, compassionate people.
 

 

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International
Association for Earthquake Relief Efforts in China

                                                                                                (Currency: RMB Ұ)

* 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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