Reconstruction continues six months after Morakot
The Executive Yuan on February 8, 2010 held a press conference on “Rebuilding Homes in New Hope,” exactly six months after Typhoon Morakot struck Taiwan. The typhoon brought devastating floods that claimed 677 lives, damaged 1,652 houses, and caused incalculable economic losses to the island.
At the press conference, Premier Wu Den-yih announced that the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation had already completed constructing the first batch of 628 permanent houses in Kaohsiung County’s Shanlin Township in late January, and that 500 families were slated to move into Da Ai Community. Construction for the second batch, which includes 400 new homes, is currently under way. Other permanent housing projects in Kaohsiung County’s Wulipu area and Pingtung County’s Majia Farm will also begin shortly. Full resettlement of all flood victims is expected to be complete by July 30 of this year.
Premier Wu thanked charity groups and private corporations for their selfless assistance and full cooperation. Without their contribution, the reconstruction effort would not have proceeded as smoothly as it did. Further, the premier expressed his sympathy and admiration to flood victims for their courage and perseverance in the face of adversity, and pledged full government support in reconstructing their communities.
Completing these permanent houses is just the first step toward rebuilding the homeland, Wu emphasized, and there would be more important work in the days ahead, such as creating jobs, restoring traditional industries and preserving local culture. The premier added that the government would respect the different voices and values of displaced residents, as well as the religions, customs and lifestyles of indigenous communities. Affected residents were urged to participate actively and personally in reconstruction efforts so that the end results would more closely match their needs.
Please visit Taiwan Today for related stories
1. Government to allow outside review of Xiaolin report (Feb. 9, 2010)
www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=94052&ctNode=445
2. Clock ticking on post-Morakot resettlement (Feb. 5, 2010)
www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=93731&CtNode=419
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