April 27, 2015
No. 075
A strong earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck Nepal around noon on April 25, causing widespread devastation. The Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its representative office in India—the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC)—promptly activated an emergency response plan and continued to keep abreast of developments. As of 4:30 PM April 27, out of a total of 204 ROC nationals in Nepal at the time of the quake, 183 were confirmed safe. MOFA and TECC India are working through diverse channels to contact the remainder. MOFA urges ROC nationals in Nepal who have yet to get in touch with their families to try to do so or contact MOFA or TECC India. The 20-plus members of the National Taiwan University hiking club who were reported on April 26 to be in Nepal have been confirmed by MOFA to be safe.
The government of Nepal has declared a state of emergency and a nationwide rescue and relief operation is underway. ROC citizens are advised not to travel to Nepal at this time. Those in Nepal requiring emergency assistance are requested to contact TECC India at +91-9810-502-610 or the MOFA emergency center at +886-800-085-095.
MOFA has asked ROC Representative to India Tien Chung-kwang to remain in the area to provide assistance to citizens. TECC India has gained permission to use I-Kuan Tao’s Kathmandu branch as a provisional liaison center and shelter, which can be contacted at +977-984-124-7600. It is also coordinating the establishment of a second emergency center at Fo Guang Shan Monastery’s Kathmandu branch.
TECC India has learned from Nepalese authorities that there is an urgent need for blankets, potable water, non-perishable food, and medicine in disaster-affected areas. MOFA is coordinating with domestic NGOs to collect and deliver relief supplies.
Given the heavy casualties and urgent need for medical assistance, a Taiwan International Health Action (TaiwanIHA) team will depart for Nepal on April 28. In the private sector, the Buddha’s Light International Association ROC, the ROC Red Cross Society, and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital have organized a medical team that is scheduled to leave for Kathmandu on the same day. The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation and Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps (TRMPC) are also deploying medical personnel to Nepal.
Following the earthquake, the ROC immediately reached out to the Nepali government through TECC India, expressing its readiness to send a rescue team. However, upon considering the chaotic situation, devastation, and critical search period, Nepal decided to first accept rescue assistance from neighboring countries, and seek assistance from Taiwan if necessary. TECC India has remained in close contact with the Nepalese Embassy in India.
Based on the humanitarian spirit of relief without borders, the ROC government promptly extended its condolences to Nepal
through TECC India. It also announced a donation to the relief effort of US$300,000. The government has also mobilized the private sector to bring together resources for relief and reconstruction in Nepal. Private donations will be accepted over a month-long period and forwarded by MOFA to Nepalese authorities to help disaster victims at this difficult time. Domestically, monetary donations can be remitted to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) donation accounts at the Treasury Agency, ROC Central Bank (A/C no. 270750) and Chunghwa Post Nangang Kunyang branch office (A/C no. 50269506). Donations from overseas can be remitted to the MOHW donation account at the Mega International Commercial Bank Foreign Department (A/C no. 007-09-11868-0). Donors should specify that their contributions are for the Nepal earthquake relief fund. Related enquiries may be made with section chief Chan Heng at the MOHW Department of Social Assistance and Social Work at +886-936-634-390. Civic organizations planning to raise funds for Nepal disaster relief are advised to first obtain a permit from the competent authorities in accordance with the Implementation Regulations for Charity Donations Destined for Social Welfare Funds.
The ROC government hopes that rescue and recovery operations will proceed smoothly in Nepal and life will soon return to normal for the Nepalese people. It urges individuals, NGOs, and charitable organizations in Taiwan to show the compassion befitting Taiwan’s status as an international humanitarian aid provider. (E)