A network of Isan farmers, for example, gave one tonne of rice while the Santi Asoke sect chipped in more than three tonnes of grain. The project's secretary general Saowanee Limmanond said a few aid drops had already been made. Most provided medicine and dry food-things the East Timorese people needed and could use straight away. However, she stressed the project would be based not on charity but on the philosophy of help for self-help. Right now, there is virtually nothing there.
People have no homes and no food.
It is pointless to tell them they have to rely on themselves, to build their own houses and grow their own food. People are starving now. She is one of the project's committee members who went to East Timor to determine the people's living conditions and real needs. The project has no permanent office or staff. It also remains ad hoc in nature and would likely phase out in a couple of years time.