No. 230 October 21, 2015
ROC contributes to fund to aid piracy survivors
The Republic of China (Taiwan) signed a memorandum of understanding Oct. 21 with the UK-based International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Networks’ Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) on an ROC donation to the Piracy Survivor Family Fund.
The memorandum was inked by Tung Kuo-yu, ROC Representative to the EU and Belgium, and Tom Holmer, MPHRP Programme Manager, at the Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium. The Piracy Survivor Family Fund was established by the UN Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia to support piracy survivors and their families.
This year, the ROC government has made two donations, on the recommendation of the European Union, to the fight against piracy. In addition to the donation to the PSFF, Taiwan has also donated to Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP), which is part of the US organization One Earth Future Foundation, to provide for the establishment of five maritime security centers, to increase maritime safety along the Somali coast.
To mark Taiwan’s contribution to world anti-piracy efforts, MEP Charles Tannock, Honorary Chairman of the EP-Taiwan Friendship Group, hosted a Donation Ceremony in the European Parliament, also on Oct. 21 October. Representatives of OBP and MPHRP each presented a certificate of appreciation to Representative Tung for the donations, with some Members of the European Parliament and officials from the European Union in attendance.
Taiwan has been contributing to capacity-building in healthcare and maritime security in Somalia in recent years, as part of its broader aims to coordinate with international partners to provide humanitarian aid in helping promote regional and international security. (E)