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Updated 26 August 2009
Typhoon Morakot, which struck Taiwan on August 7-8, 2009 brought record-breaking rainfall and caused massive flooding and mudslides in the south and east of Taiwan. To date, World Vision has assisted more than 4,000 people with urgently needed food, water and emergency supplies.
In the mountainous regions of south and east Taiwan, mudslides have partially or completely buried villages. Roads and bridges have been damaged or destroyed, cutting off access to some affected areas, especially in the remote mountainous regions.
Numerous villages in the mountains of southern Taiwan have been partially or completely wiped out. Massive flooding in low-lying areas has washed away homes and businesses, leaving behind a significant clean-up effort ahead.
According to government sources, as of August 16, 31,000 people have been evacuated from mudslide affected areas and another 1,300 people are still waiting to be rescued.
Nearly 5000 evacuees are staying at shelters established by local authorities or finding refuge with friends and relatives.
The official death toll now stands at 126, and over 300 people remain missing. That figure is expected to increase significantly as this does not include missing persons in areas affected by mudslides, which number in the hundreds.
World Vision’s Relief Response
Currently, there are 500 World Vision staff and 1,000 volunteers working in the relief response. World Vision Taiwan has 800 staff in-country.
World Vision had been working in some of the affected areas previous to Typhoon Morakot, especially in Kaoshiung, Taitung and Pingtung, and had relief goods pre-positioned and ready to distribute in the immediate aftermath. At present, World Vision is providing assistance in 30 shelters across the counties of Pingtung, Taitung, Chiayi, Kaoshiung and Nantou.
Child Friendly Spaces have also been established to provide a safe place for 280 severely distressed children to receive psychosocial care.
World Vision’s Short-Term Relief Focus
- Support survivors in shelters and meet their basic and psychosocial needs;
- Distribute relief kits including food, clean water, and basic personal hygiene supplies;
- Establish Child Friendly Spaces to help child survivors heal their traumas through play therapy and various creative activities; and
- Mobilise volunteers to help clean up the affected communities.
World Vision’s Long-Term Relief Focus
- Assess extent of property and asset loss;
- Provide subsidies and funding for home rebuilding and construction;
- Assist with repairing or rebuilding school facilities; and
- Provide tuition aid and school supplies to students.
Individuals who wish to give toward the Typhoon Morakot relief effort can make contributions to the Typhoon Morakot Relief Fund.
For Corporations and Organisations, please contact Ms Mindy Chee, External Relations Manager at (65) 6511-7145 or mindy@worldvision.org.sg. |
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