Taiwan earns international respect for relief efforts in Haiti

After a devastating earthquake struck Haiti on January 12 and caused severe loss of life and property on the Caribbean island, Taiwan’s official and private organizations immediately joined in disaster relief efforts. To date, five relief and medical teams from Taiwan have already been dispatched to Haiti. The ROC government has also donated US$5 million in aid, and set up a special donation account that has received over US$300,000 in public donations.

In addition to monetary aid, Taiwan has sent nearly 100 tonnes of emergency medical supplies, food and relief materials through international cargo shipments and air force transport planes to the neighboring Dominican Republic. These supplies will then be transported via road to Haiti and distributed to victims in coordination with Food For The Poor and other international charity organizations. During his visit with allies in Central America that began January 25, President Ma Ying-jeou also brought 10 tonnes of relief supplies on a chartered flight.

As the most pressing need on the earthquake-ravaged island is currently medical care, Taiwan on January 26 dispatched 10 more medical personnel with the Taiwan International Health Action organization to provide Haitians with emergency medical attention.

Taiwan’s active participation in quake-relief efforts in Haiti has been praised in The Wall Street Journal Asia and the online version of Time magazine. These reports pointed out that while Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations or the World Health Organization, Taiwan’s humanitarian aid is no less than those of any of the member countries.

Please visit Taiwan Today for related stories

1. Students use Facebook to raise money for Haiti (Jan. 20, 2010)

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=92365&CtNode=436

2. President Ma to take relief supplies for Haiti (Jan. 20, 2010)

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=92359&CtNode=436

3. Substantial private donations for Haiti (Jan. 20, 2010)

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=92452&CtNode=436

4. Military aircraft lands in US en route to Haiti (Jan. 21, 2010)

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=92412&CtNode=436

5. Jesse Jackson praises Taiwan rescue workers (Jan. 22, 2010)

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=92536&CtNode=436

6. Military plane sets record delivering aid (Jan. 22, 2010)

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=92525&CtNode=436

7. Ma adds aid mission to Latin America trip (Jan. 25, 2010)

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=92655&CtNode=436

8. Military transport plane carries supplies to Haiti (Jan. 26, 2010)

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=92729&CtNode=436

Related posts:

1. Taiwan to donate US$5 million for Haiti quake relief Taipei, Jan. 16 (CNA) The government decided to offer a total of US$5 million to...
2. Paris Club seeks help from Taiwan to cancel Haiti’s debt Taipei, Jan. 18 (CNA) The Paris Club has approached Taiwan for help in canceling Haiti’s...
3. ICDF Taiwan continues aid effort to Haiti Taipei, Jan. 18 (CNA) Taiwan’s nonprofit International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) has continued...
4. JAL Extends Free Transportation to Support Relief Efforts in Philippines Japan Airlines (JAL) extends its condolence to those affected by Typhoon Ketsana that hit...
5. 2nd Taiwanese rescue team begins work in Haiti Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 18 (CNA) A second Taiwanese post-disaster relief team contributed to search...

Leave a comment