In the face of the severe damage and heavy casualties that Hurricane Mitch has recently brought to those Central American countries which have long-standing diplomatic ties with the ROC, the government is actively coordinating public efforts to deliver supplies of medical aid, clothing and food to victims of the hurricane.
Dusk is falling, and having completed a hard day's work, everyone is relaxing in front of the television in their warm homes, when scenes of hurricane-devastated neighbourhoods appear on the screen. "These are our friends," intones the familiar voice of Jason Hu, Minister of Foreign Affairs. In what turns out to be the voice-over of an advertisement, he appeals for a helping hand to be extended to long-term friends of the ROC ravaged by Hurricane Mitch.
Countries badly affected by Hurricane Mitch include Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Belize, six allies of the ROC, of which Honduras suffered the most serious damage. In the wake of the hurricane, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made emergency donations of US$2.8 million, and issued an appeal for civic organizations to follow their lead in disaster relief. This has already elicited responses from the Red Cross Society of the ROC, World Vision of Taiwan, the Eden Social Welfare Foundation and the Buddhist Compassion Relief (Tzu Chi) Foundation, which have opened special bank accounts to raise funds. The Taiwan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association and the Chinese Refugee Relief Association responded by donating medical aid, which by the end of November was already being airlifted to the affected regions.
A broad cross-section of people responded generously to the disaster appeal broadcast, and reacting to their requests, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set up a special bank account to receive donations. By November 25th, more than NT$3 million had been raised. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also cooperated with the Central America Trade Office to organize a "Send Your Compassion to Central America" charity dinner and donation drive, held on November 24th, which raised NT$18 million.
At the charity dinner, ROC President Lee Teng-hui noted that although Taiwan is very far from Central American countries, friendship is extremely close. People's hearts have gone out to their Central American friends during the recent calamity, in the hope that united action by the whole nation can assist them in their reconstruction efforts.
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The Tzu Chi Foundation and exchange students of the Military Academy helping relief efforts in a hurricane-damaged region of Honduras. (courtesy of the Tzu Chi Foundation)
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