By ISKCON News Staff
Submited by bh. Tibor (Swiderski Tibor)
Since the beginning of June unusual flooding caused major problems in Northeastern Hungary. Due to constant rain, several swollen streams turned agricultural fields, village streets, courtyards, parks, playgrounds into rivers, lakes and seas. Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes in a hurry and those who stayed behind faced a shortage of drinking water and food without any electricity.
Apart from the government several non-governmental organizations came to rescue.
Since 8 June members of the Hungarian Society for Krishna Consciousness distributed a thousand plates of free food in the flooded area. Cooperating with the local disaster recovery group they searched the most affected village in the area where people did not have any supply at the time. In Felsozsolca, a village of 7000 inhabitants, 1800 of 2200 homes got destroyed. „People were devastated, saying that the flooding did more damage to their village than World War II.” – concludes Gandharvika Prema Dasi, coordinator of the Hungarian Food For Life Foundation. Water took their vegetables, grain harvest, animals, furniture, other belongings and 180 houses collapsed. They lost almost everything. Cars could not move on the streets covered with water which became more and more infected by time in the summer heat. There was no drinking water, no gas, no electricity, therefore no connection with the outside world.
„We wanted to help” – she continues. “Each day we started to cook at 2.30 am in our temple in Budapest, then transported food to the flooded areas by trucks. We distributed hot meals to mainly private houses, but also to temporary shelters, some of which were covered by water up to one’s chest and therefore approachable only by boat. We had a big truck that could move in the water and driving from street to street we carried food, water, and disinfectants to people. Civil defense, firemen, soldiers and civilians worked hard together. Even after 7 days we found houses where people have not gotten any help since floods had begun.”
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&hl=hu&v=M-vHcU6YYOs
„People are in need of mental support” – said the local psychologist. „We are especially grateful to the Hare Krishnas to come because they can give hope, faith, spiritual strength to survive these unfortunate times. They are symbols of hope.”
“Our hot meals were real help for the flood victims.” – Bhakta Emil says. He also took part in the organization’s food relief program in Haiti after the earthquakes. „People had no opportunity to cook so they got life-saving support at times of disaster. By the way only devotees know how much spiritual benefit they gained from taking food that was offered to God. People loved devotees, they were excitedly waiting for them. They were so grateful that they wanted to share their few belongings with them left after the floods in return: some drink or some cleaning supplies. It was all they had.”
The special effort of thirty devotees taking part in the project was greatly appreciated by the Hungarian government as well.
„How this mission helped my spiritual advancement? – Bhakta Emil says. „It was the nicest service I have ever gotten from the Lord. It was very pleasing to see how people appreciate devotees and prasadam.
Hare Krishna!
your servant,
bh. Tibor