Love in Action

Aid for Earthquake Victims in Turkey

Report from Singapore

[Singapore] Just as fellow initiates were shocked by the news of the earthquake that devastated Turkey, our merciful Master promptly instructed disciples to render all possible aid to the victims. Despite the fact that most fellow initiates in Singapore were attending a two-day retreat and praying for the alleviation of world suffering, the relief work was launched anyway.

We quickly called the Turkish Embassy in Singapore to find out how we could render the best help. The First Secretary of the Turkish Embassy, Ms Deniz Cakar, was deeply touched by our eagerness and sincerity in helping the earthquake victims. She mentioned that up to that time, the death toll had already reached 10,000 with countless people injured, another 35,000 estimated buried under the debris, and innumerous people sleeping on the streets due to fear of further tremors. As it was a very critical situation, the Turkish government preferred material aid instead of monetary contributions. The most urgently needed items were medical supplies, tents, sleeping bags and corpse bags. The Turkish government had waived all customs formalities for relief materials and instructed Turkish Airlines to provide free airlifts.

After assessing the situation, we decided that time was the most important factor, as the victims, struggling for survival, were desperately in need of the relief materials. A group of fellow initiates began to seek sources of medical supplies while another group called on initiates to contribute their personal tents and sleeping bags. Since many fellow initiates had brought their sleeping bags to the retreat, they willingly offered them on the spot. Also, within one day, we managed to find two big suppliers of medical supplies. Knowing that the purchase was to be contributed to victims of the Turkish earthquake, the suppliers offered very low prices and also their professional advice on which items were the most necessary in such a situation. Moreover, as we worked together, they began to voluntarily contribute more and more items to the earthquake victims.

A total of 28,743 Singapore Dollars (Approx. US$17,078) in medical supplies was purchased for the Turkish earthquake victims.

In view of the urgency and disastrous conditions in Turkey, we decided that all aid items should be dispatched by the first available flight, which was scheduled to leave on Monday night. On Sunday, after the end of the retreat, all the initiates rushed home to bring their tents and sleeping bags to the collection and packing center, and then re-packed everything to make sure that all the items were in useable and clean condition. The packing work was completed around three o'clock in the morning. Although it was very late and most of the initiates needed to work the next day, none of us felt tired, but instead cherished very much the chance to work for such a noble cause.

Turkish Airlines Air Waybill for delivery of Turkish earthquake relief materials supplied by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.

Since the medical suppliers were not open on Sunday, they could only start packing the medical materials on Monday morning. To ensure that the relief materials would be dispatched on time on the Monday evening flight, some initiates went to help the suppliers pack the cargo. The weather was emotionally charged, as it rained quite heavily on and off the whole day, as if the sky were crying for the pitiful earthquake victims. Despite the unfavorable conditions, all the relief materials, including medical supplies, tents, sleeping bags and other items, were eventually packed and delivered to the airport just on time to catch the flight.

Ms. Deniz Cakar commented that she had never seen a group that was so efficient in arranging everything so well and so quickly. She was deeply impressed and thankful for the efforts of our group. Being very interested in Master's teachings, she said that after the situation in Turkey improved, she would like to visit our Center to learn more about Master and the Quan Yin Method.

 

Previous page

Using Positive Energy to Overcome the Negative Force Aid for Earthquake Victims in Turkey Aid to Flood Victims in Mainland China Combined Report from Formosa Expenditures and Receipts for Charitable Activities in Formosa from May to July 1999