Bangladesh

Flood Relief

A week of heavy rain that began on July 20, 2011 severely affected the southeastern districts of Bangladesh, especially the remote area known as Cox’s Bazar. At least 200 villages were flooded, leaving 200,000 inhabitants stranded and forcing 3,200 households to evacuate their homes.

Supreme Master Ching Hai conveyed Her sincere concern and prayers to the displaced people and contributed relief funds in the amount of US$10,000. She also asked our Association members to reach out to the neediest residents of the affected areas, so on July 27 a team of Association members from Formosa arrived in Bangladesh to conduct a relief effort.

Assisted by local officials, the team met with the district's government leaders and traveled to Cox’s Bazar to assess the victims’ situation and needs. With the relief funds, the team purchased emergency materials, including rice and potatoes as well as sanitation and personal-hygiene items for distribution to affected households in the districts of Teknaf, Ukhia and Ramu. While conveying Supreme Master Ching Hai’s concern and love, the team also provided local inhabitants and officials with SOS climate-change flyers and related materials to help them understand the cause of weather-related disasters and their solution: the organic vegan diet. The people responded earnestly and expressed their deepest gratitude to the Supreme Master for Her compassionate help.

Cold Front Relief

In late December 2011, a severe cold front struck northern Bangladesh, causing many residents, especially children, to perish due to a lack of warm clothing. As of December 26, 91 people had succumbed to the severe weather. Upon learning of the situation, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately allocated US$10,000 in relief funds and instructed our Association members to render aid in the affected areas.

On December 31, our relief team from Formosa arrived in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital, and with help from two local Convenient Method practitioners, purchased 1,000 thick, warm blankets. Accompanied by the local brothers, the team distributed the blankets to people in Kurigram District on the first three days of the new year. The six sub-districts covered by the team included Tilai in Bhurungamari, Royganj in Nageswari, Kaliganj, Kedar, Kachakata and Newashi. In addition to the joyful smiles on their faces, the people expressed their gratitude through their body language.

During the relief work, the team members witnessed the devastating effects of global warming. Hopefully the whole world will soon come to recognize this hazardous situation and quickly adopt the vegan diet to bring an end to the current global crisis.

 

 

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

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