The Red Cross of the Republic of China has received more than 700,000 donations, amounting to a record high NT$5 billion (US$157 million), for Typhoon Morakot relief and reconstruction work.
About 80 percent of the funds have been put toward “hardware reconstruction,” including the building of temporary prefabricated homes in the wake of the typhoon that swept across southern Taiwan last August, as well as permanent dwellings.
The organization is constructing 1,200 permanent homes in 15 disaster-affected and surrounding areas. Construction of the dwellings in Kaohsiung County’s Wulipu, Chiayi County’s Fanlu Township and Nantou County’s Mingjian Township is expected to be completed by September, while the remainder will be ready for use by the end of this year.
C.V. Chen, head of the Red Cross in Taiwan, noted that several civil groups are helping in the construction of the homes, which he said would have to pass expert inspection upon completion to ensure their safety.
Chen Zong-liang, a section chief of the local Red Cross, noted that many of the dwellings are being constructed in mountainous regions, which has posed some difficulties. Noting that these areas are lacking in public utilities infrastructure such as communications, drinking water and sewage treatment facilities, he said community reconstruction here is like “beginning from zero.”
As part of efforts to continue helping residents in the typhoon disaster areas, the local Red Cross has formed a Typhoon Morakot Service Alliance together with more than 100 domestic civic organizations. (SB)