As of 11/2/1999, the Vietnam Flood Disaster Rescue Fund has received a sum of US$ 114,000.0 in donations. In addition to the overwhelming financial and moral support from donors residing in Texas, the Vietnamese-American
communities from other areas, such as Alabama, Louisiana, Boston,Virginia, Washington D.C., have also made generous contributions to the relief efforts for the flood victims in Central Vietnam. Moreover, other community members who are aware of this devastating news, American and non-American alike, have shown their good-hearted generosity by contributing to the above-mentioned fund as well. The fund-raising efforts were orchestrated by people from very diverse backgrounds , and at times, even by children who are as young as elementary school students. A case in point is the contribution made by a youngster who volunteered to bake cookies and sell them to her friends in order to raise money for the rescue fund.
On the other hand, the Relief Committee sponsored by The United Association of Vietnamese Buddhists in the U.S.A. (California), has contributed US$ 21,000.00 to the fund. The outpouring contribution and genuine concerns from all Vietnamese-living-abroad toward the suffering of the flood victims in Vietnam have lightened our hearts. For it has shown what true compassion and loving-kindness is all about.
Insofar, the Vietnam Flood Disaster Rescue Fund from the Vietnam Buddhist Center already sent home several containers of used clothes, and a total amount of $US 103,000. Our local volunteered workers have used this money to purchase and distribute food, water, medicine and blankets to the flood victims. In addition, each family received a small amount of "seed money "(the amount varies according to each individual family’‘s situation). With this much-needed cash in hand, they would be able to buy crop seeds, livestock and construction materials to recover their losses and rebuild their lives.
Of the US$ 103,000 donations, an amount of U.S $22,000 was sent to various Relief Funds sponsored by local Buddhist temples in Hue, DaNang , Quang Tri, and Saigon to cover for urgent rescue efforts in all 7 provinces beset by these most terrible floods. However, most of the donations had been, and will be distributed directly to the flood victims by our affiliated local volunteered workers throughout their trips to various affected areas.
Our Flood Rescue Disaster Relief efforts have been organized and successfully completed in the following affected areas:
1. Thua Thien Hue: from 11/21/99 to 10/11/99, an amount of 27,000 in U.S d