Master's Divine Love Comforts Typhoon Victims

At the end of July 2012, Typhoon Saola swept across the Philippines, bringing heavy rains that devastated Manila and central and northern Luzon. More than 800,000 people were affected, with at least 51 losing their lives. Upon hearing the news, Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed US$30,000 in relief funds and on August 6, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Formosa Relief Team arrived in the Philippines to bring Master’s love and conduct a relief operation along with local Association members.

On August 8, the relief operation began in the heavily flooded cities of Bacoor and Cavite, each with more than 10,000 affected households. Many places were still inundated and inaccessible. After a discussion with the local Bureau of Public Welfare, the team decided to prepare 3,000 food packages of rice, oil, soy sauce, salt, sugar, vinegar, etc. for each city. However, many suppliers were unable to handle such a large order. Just at that time, they learned that a major wholesaler had returned to the country and would be able to help with the purchase.

When the supplier found out about Master’s charitable action, he immediately offered a discount price for the relief materials as well as a donation of 0.5 kg of salt to each household. The suppliers also promised to deliver the items to the affected areas free of charge. The team members believed that this was the result of God’s miraculous arrangement. As a sufficient amount of sugar was not on hand, the team purchased bath soap and laundry soap instead, and used the remaining relief funds to buy another 1,250 packages of relief materials for people in Cavite City. Later, with help from the Bureau of Public Welfare, the relief team was able to purchase rice and food at a low price from the National Food Authority. The staff of the Bureau of Public Welfare showed great interest in Master’s sample booklets and other publications, as well as the plant-based diet. Once they realized the hazards of consuming dairy products, they immediately removed the creamers for tea or coffee from their office.

On August 14, the team distributed relief materials along with SOS flyers and sample booklets in Bacoor and Cavite. The mayors of both cities expressed their gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her loving assistance, and also helped with the distribution of the relief materials, which the people gratefully accepted. Local media said they would publish reports on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s charitable deeds. Watching the people going home happily with packages of relief supplies, we felt strongly that Master’s love had brought comfort to those affected by the typhoon.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
for Flood Relief Work in the Philippines

Description	Amount (PHP)	Receipt
Rice, sugar	600,750.0	A
Oil, vinegar, soy sauce	435,865.0	B
Beverages and biscuits	9,962.5	C
Bath soap and laundry soap	200,345.0	D
Packaging	10,582.5	E
Total	1,257,505 (US$30,084)

* Throughout the relief operation, the team members paid for their own transportation, food and accommodation.