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Activities
 Humanitarian
Work
Algeria,
May/June 2003 |
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Report from Formosa & France
Love Across Oceans –
Urgent Marshaling of Relief Materials On May 21, 2003, a strong earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale devastated the city of Boumerdes 55 miles east of Algiers, the capital of Algeria. The severe damage caused by the initial quake was intensified by a series of aftershocks, making the situation even worse. Supreme Master Ching Hai gave special instructions to members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association to help the quake victims overcome their ordeal by speedily conveying emergency supplies to the region.
So fellow initiates in Formosa immediately purchased a huge stock of the most needed relief materials, including 3,571 family tents, 10,000 blankets and 194 heavy warm jackets. Then volunteers came from all parts of the island to the Association’s Taoyuan Center, where they worked through the night, sorting and packing the items into crates. On May 30, the materials were delivered to the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, and airlifted to Paris with help from the Formosa Foreign Ministry and China Airlines. Next, through the concerted efforts of fellow practitioners in Europe, the International Red Cross and Mr. Said Abdiche, the Algerian Consul General in France, the supplies reached the affected areas on June 3. In the Midst of Misfortune, True Love Emerges
Many buildings had collapsed in Boumerdes, the epicenter of the earthquake, and residents slept in the streets for fear of aftershocks. Mr. Abdiche observed that the relief materials contributed by the SMCH Association were precisely what the victims needed and added that he was deeply touched by the letter from the Association, from which he learned that Supreme Master Ching Hai had lost sleep upon learning about the quake disaster in Algeria. Mr. Abdiche placed the death toll at over 3,000, a much higher figure than that reported by the media, and also noted that countless people had been injured. Nearly every structure in the area had to be rebuilt, especially hospitals and schools, as well as victims’ homes. Such a large project would require considerable assistance from the international humanitarian community, and Mr. Abdiche said that it was wonderful to receive love and assistance from groups such as the Association, adding that our act of concern gave him much comfort and confidence. At the Paris Airport, a native Algerian truck driver from Luxembourg who helped transport the provisions was so touched by Master’s loving concern that he asked to keep as a souvenir the little flag that relief team members had placed on his truck. Those who participated in the work that day could deeply feel Master’s compassion permeating their hearts and making them feel that “we are all truly one.” Concerted Effort Creates a Miracle of Love
On June 6, the SMCH Association held a ceremony in Taipei to thank the organizations who supported the “Hand in Hand, Send Love to Algeria” project, and conveyed the good news that all the relief materials contributed by the Association had been safely delivered into the hands of Algerian quake victims. The Initiates thus invited distinguished guests from the groups that had contributed to the success of the operation, including the ROC Foreign Ministry, China Airlines and Morrison Express Corp. Limited, to share the delight of the effort and to witness how sharing kindness and helping others can bring true love and hope to humankind. Ambassador
Lu Ching-lung was extremely impressed by the great efficiency shown
by the Association in gathering the relief materials and delivering
them to the quake victims in one week. Since Algeria has no official
diplomatic relationship with Formosa, delivering, transporting, and
gaining customs clearance for the materials posed great difficulties.
Fortunately, however, the wholehearted assistance of European fellow
initiates, the International Red Cross, and Consul General Abdiche made
it possible for this transoceanic relief operation to be speedily accomplished.
Ambassador Lu also praised the Supreme Master Ching Hai International
Association, China Airlines and Morrison Express Corp. Limited for participating
in the operation and for conducting “people-to-people” diplomacy
for the pride and glory of Formosa. Letters
of Appreciation
Expenditures
for Algeria Earthquake Relief and
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