Typhoon Morakot Relief Response Report
Updated 18 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.

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.

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.

Evacuees are staying at shelters established by local authorities or finding refuge with friends and relatives.

The official death toll is 123, but 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.

 
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.