Archive for August 9th, 2009

DPP Blog

For those who can read Chinese the DPP has set up a blog with information about mobilizing for the disaster relief efforts. It has contact information for the support centres set up in Kaohsiung City and County, Pingdong County, Chiayi County, Tainan County, Taipei County and DPP HQ in Taipei. You can also register as a volunteer on the blog.

http://dpp0808.blogspot.com/

Source: David on Formosa

It continues to be tough for those without language capabilities.

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Taiwan Ho forum – Location Points

From the forum: http://www.taiwanho.com/talk/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5380

Hi Ho’ers! We’re seeing calls on the internet that the flood victims need to have the following things sent to them:

bottled water
milk powder
dry goods
bread
easy-open canned food, ready to eat cold
disposable underwear
light jackets

Here are some collection points for such items:

1) Gaoxiong (Kaohsiung)
Please take to the Gaoxiong City Government directly; there will be someone to collect items until 9 pm. Or mail to:
Gaoxiong City Government
No. 2, Siwei 3rd Road, Lingya District, Gaoxiong City, Taiwan 80203
(Chinese address: 80203 高雄市苓雅區四維三路2號
收件人:高雄市政府 收 電話:07-336-8333)
PLEASE NOTE on the package that it’s for the victims of the typhoon and flooding, to be distributed through the Pingdong County Government and other southern cities and counties. If you can write Chinese, it’s best if you add it in Chinese or print it out: 捐贈屏東縣政府以及南部其他縣市救助水患災區使用

2) Taibei
a) Shih Lin Catholic Church
No. 264 Zhongzheng Rd. Shilin
Phone: 02-2832-4270

b) No.74-1 Jinsi St., Datong District. (Near MRT Shuanglian Station)
Phone: 2557-0658
Item collection will begin in the morning on August 10th

3) Tainan
a) Deliver items in person: Zhongzheng Hall, NO. 36, Minzhi (Minjhih) Rd., Xinying (SinYing) City, Tainan County (中正堂,新營市民治路36號)

b) Send to: Social Affairs Department No. 36, Fuxi (Fusi) Rd., Xinying (SinYing) City (新營市府西路36號) 社會處收 0980537516 or 06-5115692

c) World Vision
8F, No. 243, Sec. 1, Minquan (Mincyuan) Rd.
(台南市民權路一段243號8樓 黃雅詩) TEL:06-2215800

4. Pingdong (Pingtung)

a) In person: Dapeng Bay Tourist Information Center 大鵬灣旅客服務中心

Location: No. 69, Dalian Rd., Pingtung City
Near Millennium Park (Qiānxī Gōngyuán 千禧公園旁) 屏東市大連路69號
Time: Till 5:30 pm.
Phone: 08-7365600 / 7365012

b.World Vision
Pingtung City:No. 124, Xingfeng (Hsingfeng) Rd., Pingtung City attn: Mr. Huang
(屏東市興豐路124號 黃伯翰) TEL:08-7370483
Pingtung Chaozhou (Chaojhou) Area: NO. 60, Jieshou Rd, Chaojhou Township, Pingtung County 屏東縣潮州鎮介壽路60號王南英督導 TEL:08-7806716

5. Jiayi嘉義

Púzĭ (Putz) City Administration: (05)3795102 #14
Send to: Putz City Administration No. 34, Guangfu Rd., Putz City, Jiayi County
嘉義縣朴子市光復路34號 朴子市公所

Thanks David on Formosa

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Language Hinders International Microdonations

There is no doubt that Typhoon Morakot has already impacted the lives of millions in Southeast Asia. At typhoonmorakot.org, we are trying to rally people across the world to determine the best way we as individuals can provide relief. David Reid acutely writes: “This disaster highlights how poor English language media in Taiwan is at covering breaking news. Hopefully more detailed reports should come out shortly.”

It is difficult for English speakers to discern what exactly is happening on the ground and more importantly how we can help. We will continue to scout out aid/relief opportunities (from what we have heard so far, Morakot has had a deep economic impact), until then we send our best wishes to everyone who has been impacted by the Typhoon.

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DPP appeals for aid

The DPP (the opposition party in Taiwan) is calling for citizens to donate towards the relief efforts. Currently the most urgent needs are for “bottled water and beverages, cooked food and grain, medicine, flashlights and other lighting equipment and other essential consumer goods.”

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The Taiwan News Writes:

“The DPP had already set up a special account for donations at the Far East Commercial Bank (Account Number 03100400109596) under the name of the “New Frontier Cultural and Educational Foundation (財團法人新境界文教基金會) and provided an initial survey of emergency needs of various localities and contact numbers for city and county assistance coordination centers.

The Kaohsiung City Supply Support Center is located in the lobby of the Kaohsiung City government at 2 Ssu-wei Third Road and can be contacted through a special phone line at (07) 337-3375.

Telephone numbers for support centers for other counties are as follows: Pingtung County, (08) 736-5600 and (08) 736-5012; Kaohsiung County, 0929-460-430; Tainan County, (06) 511-5692 and 0980-537-516, and Chiayi County, (05) 362-2119.”

Full Story:  http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1026828&lang=eng_news&cate_img=logo_taiwan&cate_rss=TAIWAN_eng

We don’t know too much about this, but wanted to pass the information along. As we hear more information about relief efforts we will let you know.

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Some Still Reported Missing

Recovering from Typhoon Morakot, some areas are still reporting individuals who are missing.

MANILA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) — Twenty-five fishermen on board five pump-boats remain missing more than a week after they sailed off the eastern Philippine coast for fishing, local newspaper reported Monday.

Families of the fishermen feared that the small wooden-hulled boats might have capsized when typhoon Morakot swept through the northern Luzon island in the past three days, the Manila Bulletin said.

Four of the five missing boats have been identified by local police, it said.

But when reached on phone on Monday, neither the coast guard authorities nor the national disaster relief agency — the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) — could confirm the report.

Twenty-two people were killed, four were missing and 18 others were injured in flash-floods and landslides caused by typhoon Morakot in the Philippines, the NDCC said in its latest casualty update.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/10/content_11856332.htm

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Utilization of Social Networking Tools for Relief

Chinapost.com writes that individuals can use social networking tools like Twitter and Plurk for assistance:

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Internet users established online Morakot response centers for damage report gathering and to help lead rescuers to people in need. Netizens broadcasted via their blogs or personal Web sites on a non-government Morakot information center created by the Association of Digital Culture Taiwan. They advised fellow netizens living near areas battered by the storm to gather information, such as sustained damage or assistance needed, on popular social networking websites such as Twitter.com and Plurk.com.People can ‘tweet’ (broadcast through Twitter.com) or ‘plurk’ on the Web site of the information center (http://typhoon.adct.org.tw/) and the Morakot damage table (http://typhoon.oooo.tw/) to help rescuers get in touch with people waiting for aid.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2009/08/10/219781/Netizens-tweet.htm

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Report from CNN

Emily Chang from CNN reports:

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Red Cross Disaster Response

If you are looking for a way to help, you can check:

The Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund
“You can help people affected by disasters, like the current floods, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. You may also call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or mail your donation, to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.”

Red Cross International Response Fund
You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

More details at:

http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_subsrc=RCO_ResponseStateSection&s_src=DRF

If you have given to either of these funds in the past, leave a comment and tell everyone about your experience.

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Live Twitter Feeds – Follow us @TyphoonMorakot

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Footage of Collapsed Bridge

Bridge Washout East of ChiaYi in Alishan Mountains- After 2+ meters of rainfall in the surrounding area, headed out to capture some footage of the damage in the surrounding mountain regions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHyJh2eCBbc

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