A Relief Effort Succeeds
in the Face of Adversity

The December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamis that ravaged South Asia also struck East Africa several thousand kilometers away. Huge tidal waves hit towns and villages along the eastern and northeastern coasts of Somalia, killing at least two hundred people, swallowing hundreds of fishing boats and leaving tens of thousands of victims in need of urgent relief. However, turmoil caused by an ongoing civil war discouraged international charity groups from launching relief operations in Somalia.

However, initiates from the Kenya Center of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association were not intimidated by the potential hardships and perils they might encounter in the war-torn nation, and so on January 5, 2005 they traveled to Magadishu, Somalia's capital, to offer Master's love and relief to the victims. With the earnest assistance of the mayors of Mogadishu and Marka, the practitioners visited devastated fishing villages, ghettos, hospitals, schools and orphanages, where they distributed monetary aid and daily necessities and consoled victims. Upon receiving Master's loving relief, the people smiled happily and expressed their sincere gratitude.

Although the aid operation was jeopardized by dangerous road conditions and other obstacles, thanks to Master's blessings the sisters and brothers smoothly accomplished their mission. In addition, on January 8 and 9, BBC World and the Mogadishu Radio Station aired news reports on Master's concern for the tsunami victims in Somalia. The BBC correspondent was greatly impressed by the initiates" courage in traveling to Somalia to render relief, saying, "God must be protecting you" during the interview.

The Kenya initiates are deeply grateful to Master for giving them the opportunity to bring material relief and convey Her love and concern to the suffering brothers and sisters of Somalia in their time of need.