The December 2008 Relief 
The relief team arrived in Lorengau on December 24, where they were met by two local people who immediately took them to purchase relief supplies. Mrs. Theresa Cox, a member of the PNG Association of Australia based in Melbourne, helped them to contact the local islanders to compile a list of emergency needs and arranged boat transportation. For the next four days, the team traveled to the islands of Pitiylu, Hawaii, Ndilou, Koronat, Wenai, Two, Robins and Ahus, distributing the relief goods, SOS flyers and Master’s sample booklets. Upon receiving the much-needed food and information on climate change, the islanders were extremely grateful. Many requested to know more about Master. Two families were given financial aid to help rebuild their homes. On the final day, the initiates were treated to a warm-hearted farewell party by the islanders on Pitiylu. These pure-hearted people live simple lives, have faith in God, and were very open to the message of saving the planet through a vegetarian diet. Many thanks to all of the Papua New Guineans who kindly assisted the relief team members to render the aid items in a timely manner. The February 2009 Relief Following the flooding of the Wahgi River and other areas in the Papua New Guinea highlands, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately sent US$10,000 in aid. On February 28, a relief team from Australia went to Port Moresby and was picked up by the local PNG Power team. The head of PNG Power, Edmond Pereira, offered the full support of his organization, arranging accommodation, identifying the crisis areas, and setting up a meeting with the village head and councilors to ensure protocol was followed. Leo Savingu, the local area manager, also provided abundant assistance in the form of vehicles and extra manpower, free of charge.
After assessing the damages in villages such as Kindeng and Bullum, the team listed the required items and returned quickly with all the supplies. The people were overjoyed and surprised to receive such timely help, especially in the worst-stricken village where about 4,000 people were left without food and comfort. With enthusiasm and gratitude, they accepted Master’s photos, Press Kit and SOS Flyers for distribution throughout the villages. The headman made a speech thanking Master and all those who helped, and presented a bilum-a woven bag- to Master. An article appeared in the National PNG newspaper about Master’s assistance, prompting the PNG National Disaster Organization to send a team directly to the area, offering government support of 5 million Kina for the whole region. The relief team felt protected and blessed by Master in an area that
is often unsafe due to tribal rivalry. The hotel where they stayed
was owned and operated by a famous local matriarch, Maggie Wilson,
who had been praying to God for spiritual guidance. Overjoyed to know
about Master, she immediately wanted to learn the Convenient Method
of meditation, and was very excited to be able to share with her family
this noble lifestyle.
* Throughout the relief operation, fellow initiates paid for their own transportation, food and accommodation expenses. 
To view the Humanitarian Relief Activities by the Supreme Master
Ching Hai and Her International Association,
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In
mid-December 2008, northern Papua New Guinea suffered abnormally high
tides which caused major flooding, displacing tens of thousands of
people and destroying houses and fields. With Supreme Master Ching
Hai’s loving contribution of US$30,000, a relief team made up
of Association members from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth
soon flew to Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Three
team members then went to one of the worst-affected areas - Lorengau,
the capital of Manus Province, to carry out the relief work. The rest
of the members stayed in Port Moresby to hand out SOS flyers, which
were well received. Many people were grateful to know that our Association
is sharing the SOS information worldwide, as they understand the urgency
of climate change, having literally experienced its effects.
