The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) plans to donate NT$5 million (US$153,979) to support relief and reconstruction efforts after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday.
The funding would be used for reconstruction efforts and to help affected residents return to normal life as quickly as possible, the ministry said in a statement today.
The earthquake, which struck on Tuesday afternoon, caused casualties and damaged roads, buildings and other infrastructure.
Photo: Kyodo News via AP
The affected area continues to face the threat of aftershocks, the ministry said.
As of this morning, the earthquake was confirmed to have killed 34 people, the Kumamoto prefectural disaster response headquarters said, adding that authorities are investigating whether one additional death was related to the disaster.
MOFA has also launched a public fundraising campaign through the International Cooperation and Development Fund, which would administer a dedicated disaster relief account.
Public donations can be made to Mega Bank account No. 021-09-01-7741 from tomorrow through Aug. 31. Mega Bank’s bank code is 017.
President William Lai (賴清德), Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) have each pledged to donate NT$200,000 to the account, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said yesterday.
Taiwan would continue to stand with Japan and provide assistance when needed as Japan proceeds with disaster relief and reconstruction efforts, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said.
Lin invited the public to support the fundraising campaign and help affected residents rebuild their homes and return to normal life.