Report from Formosa

Loving Contributions from the Heart

After a devastating earthquake struck Formosa in the wee hours of the morning on September 21, 1999, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association contributed relief provisions valued at NT$3,797,648 to victims in the affected areas. Another NT$350,000 was contributed to the Earthquake Relief Fund set up by the Miaoli county government, and NT$970,000 in condolence funds and relief cash was delivered directly to the victims. These contributions totaled NT$5,117,648. [For details, please refer to the table (p49) and receipts (p52)]

[Taipei] Not long after the earthquake struck Formosa, the Taipei Center organized relief teams of fellow practitioners who rushed to the scenes where the disaster had struck to render help. In northern Formosa, a multi-story building had collapsed on Pa Te Road in Taipei City and two others had fallen on Min An Road in neighboring Hsinchuang. We formed two teams. One went to the social service office of the Chunghsiao Hospital to provide clothing, towels, and other daily necessities. The other team proceeded to Hsinchuang, where coincidentally, a fellow practitioner was living directly opposite the collapsed buildings. A temporary disaster-relief liaison post was set up in his home. Dozens of fellow practitioners joined the relief team, which worked cooperatively with the Taipei County Social Affairs Bureau. Fellow practitioners collected sleeping bags from the Taipei Center and purchased sport suits, jackets, flashlights, batteries, and other essential items for immediate delivery to temporary accommodation shelters in the disaster stricken areas. While a sad and mournful atmosphere prevailed over the many disaster scenes, initiates adhering to Master's teachings, constantly recited the Holy Names in their hearts as they carried out their rescue and relief work. They worked actively, quickly and without stopping until nine o'clock in the evening. Officials at the Taipei County Social Affairs Bureau expressed appreciation for the impressive and efficient assistance provided by our group.

At a national commemoration for the earthquake victims held in Linkou Stadium near Taipei on October 11, Formosa's President Lee and Vice President Lien, the presidents of the five branches of the Formosan government, representatives from all social sectors, and relatives of those who had died in the quake gathered to mourn the death of the victims and pray for spiritual comfort for those who had survived. A representative group of our fellow practitioners attended the event, silently reciting the Holy Names for the victims and praying that they would be blessed by God. In a simple but solemn ceremony, President Lee said that those who had died in the earthquake were noble saints and teachers who had taught us a lesson with their lives and had suffered the catastrophe for the 22 million people of Formosa. (The death toll was around 2,200.) He encouraged his compatriots not to lose their confidence while suffering, to gain courage from setbacks, and to join in a solidarity of hearts and strength to create an even brighter tomorrow.

[Nantou] Late in the night following the Formosan earthquake, we delivered portable toilets to Chungliao rural township. Because of transport difficulty, it was long after midnight when we finally reached our destination. Nevertheless, the person in charge of the quake stricken town of Chungliao guided us to a number of locations where the toilets were to be placed. One young person ran up to us and asked with great sincerity, "May I know what group you are from? We will pay you a visit to express our thanks when we have time!" We simply answered, "Thanks to Master! It was Master Ching Hai who sent us here!"

Early on the third day after the earthquake, we transported relief supplies to affected areas in Chungliao as fast as we could. On the way, a young man came to us seeking help for his small village where no relief workers had yet come. We gave all the supplies we had to this village that was in desperate need. When the villagers saw us, their helpless and dejected faces suddenly shone with the light of love and hope. As they thanked us, the young man repeatedly explained to them who our Master was and that it was due to Master's love that they had received this timely relief. [Chiayi] Immediately after the 9/21 earthquake, fellow practitioners from the Chiayi Center followed Master's loving instructions to organize a relief team to join the main rescue operation.

At Touliu in Yunlin County, where several buildings had collapsed, a team of fellow practitioners visited the accommodation shelter before rushing to the sites of the disaster. Dozens of people were still buried beneath the debris and local rescue teams were working around the clock in efforts to save them. Fellow practitioners prepared hot meals for the local rescue teams, giving them indirect support as they worked throughout the night.

Although roads had been cut off in the mountainous areas, fellow practitioners still managed to bring water, tents, sleeping bags, and other urgently needed materials to seriously affected villages.

In Nantou County, site of the epicenter, the earthquake had caused the most severe and extensive damage. Therefore, during the following three days, the Chiayi relief team, with the support of fellow practitioners from all areas of Formosa, joined the relief operation organized by the Nantou Center. Our main assignment was to purchase and deliver relief provisions such as tents, sleeping bags, water, food, and clothing to the areas most urgently in need, based on the information acquired by the Nantou Center. Expenditures for the 9/21 Earthquake Relief Effort from Disaster Relief Fund Special Account of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association

(September-October 1999)

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