Taiwan Pledges Aid and Launches Fund for Kumamoto Earthquake

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan announced a NT$5 million donation and launched a public fundraising campaign via the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund to assist Japan following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture. The disaster, which struck on Tuesday, killed at least 34 people and caused widespread infrastructure failure, including tens of thousands of homes losing electricity and water.

Public donations are being accepted through a dedicated Mega Bank account from August 1 through August 31. President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, and Premier Cho Jung-tai each pledged NT$200,000 to the fund. Additionally, Democratic Progressive Party secretary-general Hsu Kuo-yung committed to donating one month of his salary to encourage further public contributions.

Bipartisan support continued as Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun personally donated NT$1 million on July 31. Cheng delivered the funds and a letter of condolences to the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association's Taipei office. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stated that Taiwan will continue to provide assistance to help affected residents rebuild their homes and resume normal life.