Typhoon Nari Relief Efforts

9/25/2001

Northern Taiwan suffered the worse flood damage in a hundred years, inflicted by Typhoon Nari. The Dharma Drum Mountain was not spared by the floodwater either. Nung Chan Monastery as well as homes of many DDM followers was flooded. However, DDM never for a moment stopped extending a helping hand. Early in the morning of the 17th, Master Sheng-yen rode a rubber boat to get out of Nung Chan Monastery and visit the affected areas. Many DDM followers also left their houses in the middle of heavy rain to coordinate and send supplies to severely affected areas.

DDM has visited families of victims or missing people in Taipei City, Taipei County, and Jia-yi County, as well as many wounded survivors still in the area hospitals. Up to the evening of the 25th, a total of NT$611,000 of relief funds were distributed, more than NT$ 2.58 million worth of relief supplies were sent to emergency shelters and area hospitals in Taipei and Kelung, and close to NT$ 710,000 worth of supplies were sent to governments relief coordination centers. And more than 2,300 volunteers have either visited emergency shelters and hospitals, sent condolence to families of the deceased, or helped with cleanup efforts in affected houses.

Master Sheng-yen calls for the public to extend our care in the spirit of fraternity. People in the affected areas need our help. And we need more volunteers to participate in the relief efforts. Those who wish to help may call (02)2827-6060 extensions 261, 253 and 619.