North Africa

An Urgent Collection of Relief Materials
to Help Quake Victims in Algeria

On May 21, 2003, a strong earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale devastated the city of Boumerdes, 50 km east of Algiers, the capital of Algeria. A total of 2,217 people perished, 9,085 were injured and more than two hundred thousand went homeless. The number of casualties continued to increase as aftershocks measuring 5.0 or above on the Richter scale struck the affected area on May 27, 28 and 29.

Supreme Master Ching Hai gave especial instructions to members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association to help the disaster victims by conveying to them the most needed materials as quickly as possible. By seven a.m. on May 29, the initiates had purchased 24 tons of relief supplies and delivered them to the Taoyuan Center. The items included 3,571 family tents, 10,000 blankets and 194 warm winter jackets. Fellow initiates from all parts of Formosa came and worked through the night packing the materials into crates. At two p.m. the following day, six huge trucks transported the crates to the CKS International Air cargo terminal. With help from China Airlines and Formosa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the materials were flown to Paris. From there, through the concerted efforts of European initiates, the International Red Cross, and Mr. Abdiche, the Algerian Ambassador to France, the relief materials were delivered to the affected area beginning on June 3.

-Donating masks and Fighting SARS with oneness of mind -Disaster relief for the northwest, drilling wells to fight drought -Courier of love to provide timely relief to flood victims

Related news coverage and Master's enlightening discourse
are available for online viewing on Sun TV Program serial No. 41
of A Journey through Aesthetic Realms