Mr. Encho Gospodinov, Head of the Delegation, Permanent Observer for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at the United Nations, received the US$50,000 for Afghan refugees.

For years, the situation in Afghanistan has been very difficult. The country's crisis is the result of years of war and severe drought. This year, with the onset of winter, conditions are expected to worsen. Children are especially at risk. For them, hunger, illness, and cold conditions can easily lead to death. People have been fleeing the country trying to find a home in more civilized neighboring countries. After their arrival, however, they face lives of poverty and pain. Despite the fact that for years charity organizations have tried to help, there is never enough money to provide for the basic health, food and educational needs of Afghan refugees. After the most recent war started, the situation became even worse. Many people were forced to leave their poor abodes and go into unfamiliar areas, hoping to find a helping hand that would carry their burden.

In response to their desperate cries, the Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately authorized a contribution of US$50,000 dollars to The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and another US$50,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which provides relief services for refugees in countries bordering Afghanistan.

Appreciation letter from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at the United Nations, New York.

On October 22, 2001, a representative of Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association presented a check for US$50,000 to the Red Cross and Red Crescent branch office at Second Avenue in New York as a contribution to assist in the organization's Afghan refugee relief works. Red Cross and Red Crescent staff member were very happy to receive the check.

On October 25, 2001, another US$50,000 was wired to UNICEF, an organization that not only provides critical help for refugees in all of Afghanistan's neighboring countries, but also delivers as many relief supplies as possible into Afghanistan itself. The organization is doing all it can to help millions of children and women survive what is shaping up to be a major humanitarian crisis.

Although such monetary contributions can never fully meet the requirements of the needy masses, when people from every corner of the world render their help, it can establish a pattern of goodness, empathy and sharing on this planet. Each little act of charity and goodness counts toward enhancing the total consciousness of oneness.

Receipt from The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the US$50,000 dollars from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for the children of Afghanistan.