A needy person is not essentially poor. Sai says, it is not based on rich or poor, but on his need. He always advises that wherever you see a needy person, try and help him.
Whenever natural calamities have struck, Sai has always reached there with help. When Kutch in Gujrat was struck by a disastrous earthquake, the rich over there lost all wealth, properties, belongings, but due to shyness and modesty, would not ask for help or even move out anywhere. When Sai sent a bagful of commodities for them, they had tears in their eyes. Sai, accompanied by His devotees, left Ajmer with a truck full of clothes, foodstufs, vessels, etc. He emptied His room and took out all clothes from it and when someone asked, He replied, “Let the needs of the needy be fulfilled first, this room will again be full by the grace of God!”
After reaching there, He did not leave a single stone unturned as far as service for the needy was concerned. Due to the damage to the pipeline, there was no clean supply of water. Sai immediately organized trucks full of boxes with bisleri water. He saw to it that it reaches every nook and corner of the affected area. Sai also asked the doctors there to, not only use this water for drinking, but also washing hands etc, so that they remain free from any infection and are fit to help the people around. This whole arrangement was and always is under direct supervision of Sai. Even if He is not physically present over there, His attention is always there and practically every hour He calls and speaks to the devotees there to get updates.
Even when Surat was struck by plague, Sai sent loads full of bisleri water there to ensure that all the unwell patients get clean and pure drinking water.
Sai’s planning, execution of such assistance during these calamities is magnanimous, even at such large levels!