Love in Action

 

The Philippines

 

Fire Relief in Makati City

On April 19 2011, a fire, likely caused by an overheated electrical appliance, swept through a community in Makati City in the Philippines, completely destroying approximately 900 houses and leaving about 2,700 families homeless.

Two weeks after the fire, the displaced householders were happily surprised to receive large relief packages from our local Association members. The relief effort was conducted through Supreme Master Ching Hai’s inspirational guidance and loving contribution of US$6,000 for the purchase of emergency items.

Through the assistance of Madam Loida Pangilinan of the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development, our Association members were able to distribute hygiene items and ready-to-eat food to more than 300 families at an evacuation center on May 2. For the evacuees, it was the first time that they had received large amounts of relief materials. Master’s unexpected gifts moved some recipients to tears of happiness and gratitude.

On May 5, the team undertook a five-hour journey to a remote area in Rodriguez municipality, Rizal Province, where they distributed relief packages to relocated families late into the evening. The team members were pleased to find that many displaced families had returned to their original communities or moved into government housing projects.

Flood Relief in Cotabato Province

In mid-June, our Association members from the Philippines and Formosa rushed to assist people threatened by rivers swollen due to heavy rain from Typhoon Songda, which swept over Mindanao, the Philippines’ second largest island. With help from local officials and volunteers, the team used Master’s contribution of US$15,000 to purchase food and other relief supplies, from which 4,100 packages were prepared for distribution in Pikit, the area in Cotabato Province with the largest number of displaced households.

Navigating boats over fields submerged in seven feet of water, the relief team distributed the provisions to the most vulnerable families in eight Pikit districts. People expressed deep gratitude to Master and appreciation for the SOS fliers explaining the cause of the aberrant weather conditions that had severely damaged their farming operations.

On June 28, hours of heavy rains caused what’s said to be the worst flooding to hit Mindanao island’s Davao City in recent years, affecting about 15,000 families. Our Philippine Association members quickly distributed emergency supplies such as mosquito nets and blankets to the needy with an additional US$10,000 fund from Master.

Flood Relief in Albay Province

On July 27, tropical storm Nock-ten intensified into a severe storm, with heavy rains and strong winds causing rivers to flood and affecting over 800 villages in 20 provinces. Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately contributed US$10,000 and on August 5, a relief team of Philippine and Formosan Association members travelled to Albay Province, one of the most devastated areas in the Bicol region, to render aid.

With the warm-hearted support of local officials, especially Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer Mrs. Yolanda P. Guanzon, the team delivered relief packages containing food and hygiene items to 3,800 families. Based on information provided by Mr. Gregorio H. Ricarte, Mayor of the Municipality of Oas, the team also gave 4,200 pesos (approximately US$100) to one of the area’s most damaged schools for the purchase of urgent supplies. The recipients were moved by Master’s unconditional love, saying Her greatness and benevolence never fails to touch their hearts.

Tropical Storm Relief in Ilocos Norte Province

To assist and convey Master’s sympathy to those affected by tropical storm Nanmadol, which struck northern Luzon Island at the end of August, our Formosa team conducted a relief operation in early September, using Her contribution of US$10,000. Focusing their efforts on one of the most severely affected provinces, Ilocos Norte, the team visited 13 villages in the municipality of Dingras and distributed 2,415 packages of much-needed supplies, and then went to three other villages in the vicinity of Laoag to hand out 380 packages. The local people expressed great joy and appreciation upon receiving the gifts, and felt comforted by God’s boundless love and care.

Flood Relief in Maguindanao Province

On September 24, flooding in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao on Mindanao Island claimed at least one life and displaced over 150,000 people. Water rose to chest level, especially in the upstream areas around the Liguasan Marsh and Lake Buluan.

Deeply concerned about those affected by the flood, Master sent US$15,000, along with Her love and heartfelt prayers. On October 2, our Formosa relief team, assisted by local officials, distributed 2,000 food and hygiene supply packs to the needy in the remote Datu Montawal Municipality, where no aid had had been given. A local radio station reported on the relief effort and a journalist from NDBC Media interviewed one of our team members, who discussed why the vegan diet is the best way to diminish weather-induced disasters.

In addition, the remaining 50,000 pesos (approximately US$1,200) was given to the Batungkayo Elementary School. The School’s principal and teachers were delighted to receive the unexpected gift, which will help them rebuild walls and purchase new chairs and blackboards.

Typhoon Nesat Relief in Navotas City

On September 27, Typhoon Nesat struck Luzon with tremendous force, as heavy rains and flash floods affected approximately 64,000 people of the island. Upon hearing of the event, Master immediately allocated US$10,000 and our local Association members worked with the Formosa team, which had just completed relief efforts in Maguindanao Province, to provide urgent aid. On October 6, along with volunteers assembled by the Navotas City Social Welfare Office, the team supplied 2,700 relief packages to the most vulnerable families in 15 villages. The recipients conveyed their deep gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her timely assistance.

Tropical Storm Banyan Relief in Visayas Province

On October 13, tropical storm Banyan struck the Philippines, displacing approximately 2,600 people and causing nine to lose their lives in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Bearing Master’s loving concern and US$15,000, our Formosa relief team arrived in Manila a week later and joined local Association members in rendering aid in Visayas Prov ince, the area that had suffered most severe damage. Based on information from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD), the team prepared 4,000 relief packages containing food and personal hygiene items. Despite the heavy rains, on October 24 and 25 the team members distributed 3,250 packages to households in 38 villages and entrusted the remaining packs to the CSWD to be delivered to needy people of remote areas. Seeing the recipients’ happy faces, the relief team members felt God’s loving care and comfort for the disaster victims.

Tropical Storm Washi Relief on Mindanao island

At the end of December, the number of fatalities from flash floods caused by tropical storm Washi, which swept away entire villages in southern Mindanao Island, rose to more than 1,250. In addition, over 60,000 were rendered homeless, including more than half the residents of the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

Master quickly allocated US$8,000 for a relief effort and on December 26, a team of our Formosan Association members travelled to Iligan city, where 28 villages were damaged and more than 11,000 families were affected. Based on information provided by Ms. Agnes C. Main Gat, who was in charge of arranging relief supplies for a local welfare organization, the team bought a large supply of rice cookers, frying pans and kitchen utensils and delivered them via military truck to three schools serving as temporary shelters. The affected families were extremely grateful for the timely aid sent by God.

The Association members thank Master for inspiring them through Her example of selfless service to others, and pray that Her loving assistance has helped the Philippine people stand on their own feet again.

*Throughout the relief operation, the team members paid for their own transportation, food and accommodations.

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