By Taichung, Formosa (Taiwan) News Team (Originally in Chinese)
On the evening of October 12, 2013, Cyclone Phailin, the strongest cyclone to hit India in over a decade, reached the states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Over one million people were evacuated for safety. The devastating cyclone caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to the infrastructure and took the lives of 44 people. Deeply concerned about all those affected, Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed US$10,000 and requested a relief team from Taichung, Formosa (Taiwan) be sent to provide assistance. This amount of funding could purchase approximately US$127,692 in material aid if bought in the United States, based on the cost of living in India.
Our Association members from Taichung, Formosa (Taiwan) arrived in the hardest hit state of Odisha within a few days, and divided into two teams. One team visited 12 affected villages and distributed relief supplies to 1,663 households. Another team went to four villages in a different area of the state and provided 1,610 servings of warm food to the displaced citizens. The team continued on to four more villages in Balasore District and distributed relief supplies and warm food to 550 affected households.
In total, about 3,000 food packs and 6,000 warm meals were distributed during the relief work due to the compassionate heart of Supreme Master Ching Hai.
Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association for Cyclone Phailin Relief Work in India
October 2013
| Description | Amount (Rupee) | Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| Saltna (vegan protein) | 165,000 | A |
| Chuda (flattened rice), sugar, soya badi (soy protein chunks) | 121,850 | A2 |
| Plastic sheets | 150,000 | B |
| Flashlights and batteries | 24,000 | C |
| Sandwich cookies and candies | 69,000 | D |
| Grade A rice, chuda , sugar, soya badi | 29,900 | E |
| Chuda, rice, Arhar dal | 25,040 | F |
| Grade A rice, Arhar dal, sunflower oil | 30,100 | G |
| Car rental | 23,500 | H |
| Total | 638,390 Rupees (US$10,364) |
- The conversion of Rupees to US dollars was based on the conversion rate at the time of this report.
- Throughout the relief operation, the team members spent their own money for transportation, food and accommodations.
