March 17, 2022
No. 059
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) hosted a ceremony to mark the first shipment of humanitarian aid materials donated by members of the public for Ukrainian refugees on the afternoon of March 17 at the DHL Taipei Gateway at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu presided over the ceremony, which was witnessed by Cyryl Kozaczewski, Director of the Polish Office in Taipei; Martin Podstavek, Representative of the Slovak Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei; Michaela Šuláková, Deputy Representative of the Slovak Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei; Daria Zheng, a Ukrainian national; and Olga Khalina, a Russian national born in Ukraine.
In remarks at the ceremony, Minister Wu stated that he found the occasion deeply moving. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, at least 3 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, making this the worst humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. The people of Taiwan, who enjoy freedom and democracy, profoundly understand the plight of Ukraine’s people because they themselves have long faced a threat from China. A member of the international democratic alliance, Taiwan desires to show the spirit of Taiwan can help through MOFA’s relief drive and hopes that these urgently needed supplies will reach those Ukrainian refugees in greatest need.
At the ceremony, Minister Wu thanked people for their donations and expressed gratitude to charity groups, NGOs, and businesses for their support. Organizations including the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Buddha’s Light International Association R.O.C., Red Cross Society of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I-Mei Foods Co., Ltd., and Cao Zhong Zhi Foundation have donated tons of goods and mobilized a multitude of volunteers to help sort materials at MOFA headquarters. The selfless devotion and efforts of these volunteers are both heartwarming and a testament to the kindness of Taiwan’s people.
MOFA said the collection of supplies started on March 7 and would end on March 18 at 5 p.m. The drive to collect supplies for Ukrainian refugees has been met with overwhelming support. Already, 7,500 boxes of donated goods, weighing at least 50 tons, have been collected. Donations continue to pour in. The supplies featured at today’s ceremony, totaling 357 boxes or 5.5 tons, as well as further 10-ton batches to be dispatched daily by DHL, will be delivered to Slovakia. Other supplies may be sent to Poland and other countries that are sheltering Ukrainian refugees to help them weather this difficult time. (E)
Related pictures:
1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu (third from left); Director of the Polish Office in Taipei Cyryl Kozaczewski (left); Representative of the Slovak Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei Martin Podstavek (second from right); Deputy Representative of the Slovak Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei Michaela Šuláková (right); Ukrainian national Daria Zheng (second from left); and Russian national Olga Khalina (third from right) show support for Ukraine.
2. Minister Wu and attendees pose for a photo.
3. Minister Wu converses with Daria Zheng (right) and Olga Khalina (left).