Relief Provisions
for Mountain Townships

Compiled by the Supreme Master Ching Hai
Relief Society and the Hsinchu News Group

As the strong winds and heavy downpours brought about by Typhoon Aere caused severe flooding in many areas around Formosa, the Supreme Master Ching Hai Relief Society was asked to provide assistance in the affected sections of Hsinchu County. The Society, a civilian body that has long cooperated with governmental fire-fighting and disaster relief agencies, is regarded as one of the most reliable relief organizations in Formosa. Their years of efficient work with the government and deep understanding of their craft have earned the group's members a reputation for high efficiency and strong coordination in conducting relief operations.

Upon receiving a request from Section Chief Lu of the local disaster area command center on the evening of August 26, the Society members immediately mobilized, and by early the next morning, three jeeps were dispatched to the square in front of the Hsinchu County Social Affairs Bureau. After a discussion of the situation with the command center's staff, the Society was asked to provide assistance to Jianshi Township, where there was no landing site for helicopters to fly in supplies, by delivering relief provisions and bringing back information on the affected area.

That morning, the jeeps transported the supplies, mainly sleeping bags and quilts, to the Jianshih Township Office. According to the Township Mayor, the provisions were designated for local indigenous villages. However, communications with the villages had been cut off, and the Office was unable to get information about the affected communities. So the relief team was asked to assess the situation in the area and report back to the Office.

When the team members arrived at the disaster-stricken villages of Jiale and Sinle, they found that the communities' access road had been washed away by the overflowing Naluo River, and excavators dispatched by the Township Office were working at full speed to restore the road. Then the relief team reported the conditions to the Jianshih Township Mayor and the Hishchu Disaster Area Command Center, and accomplished its mission.

In addition, Typhoon Aere devastated Hsinchu County, and the inhabitants of Taoshan Village in Wufeng Township were forced to evacuate and seek temporary shelter at the Jen-ai Home and a military camp in a neighbouring county.

When the road to Wufeng was recently restored and the military camp was needed for reservists' training, the villagers returned to their homes. However, it was no easy task to rebuild houses that had completely or partially collapsed. The typhoon victims suffered from both financial difficulties and inadequate supplies of daily necessities at the community accommodation center. Under these adverse conditions, the Wufeng Township Representatives' Council contacted The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association and received a generous offer of immediate help.

When the Hsinchu Center learned of the situation on September 24, its members wasted no time in making the necessary purchases for the victims. And after learning of the initiates' mission, local business owners responded in kind, offering special price discounts and giving top priority to the Center's orders.

Then, on the afternoon of September 25, sixteen sisters and brothers met in Jhudong to drive eight truckloads of supplies to Wufeng. The provisions included 200 sleeping bags, 204 bottles of vegetable oil, 100 packets of washing powder, 216 packets of edible salt and nine boxes of new and used clothing. The Association members were received by Mr. Lin Xiang-xing, chairman of the Wufeng Township Representatives' Council. Then, together with several local residents, they unloaded the supplies at Chairman Lin's house for later transfer to typhoon victims at three different shelters.

After having witnessed many such disasters, one fellow initiate said with deep emotion, "People who have not been to the affected areas could hardly imagine the shocking sight at the disaster scene. Simply saying that the world is ephemeral isn't enough. We can't fight destiny. These horrifying and transitory experiences help me realize the importance of spiritual progress as the only way to liberation!"

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