India
Emergency Aid for Tornado-Hit Villages
By Formosa Relief Team (Originally in Chinese)
On March 31, 2009, a rare tornado and hail storm hit Rajkanika of Kendrapara District in India’s eastern state of Orissa, devastating 13 villages, causing several casualties and affecting the lives of more than 10,000 people. Supreme Master Ching Hai allocated a relief fund of US$15,000 and instructed our Association members to render relief. On April 6, our relief team from Formosa reached the affected area to assess the situation. From the local government and NGOs, they learned that the Indian government had promptly provided rice and other kinds of food to the people, and contributed 1,000 rupees to every affected household. Basic meals were available at a “free kitchen.” After assessing the situation, our team purchased rice, multi-grain cereal, biscuits, flashlights, lighting equipment, batteries, mosquito nets, soap and bags for distribution to the people. With God’s blessing and compassionate guidance, this relief mission was accomplished successfully. The relief team would like to express special gratitude to Magistrate Panda for providing extra police assistance and to Mr. Rajiv for generously giving them free workspace to pack and transport the relief materials.
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
Expenditures for Tornado
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