Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

To support rescue and relief missions in the hard-hit regions of southern Taiwan, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin announced the establishment of a command center to oversee the city’s operations in central and southern municipalities on August 9. He also encouraged residents to join the city government in providing help to disaster-struck areas.

The mayor reported that Taipei suffered minimal damage from the Morakot. After conducting recovery works for Taipei, Hau promised to evaluate the possibility of investing more staff and machinery to the rescue and relief operations for central and southern Taiwan. He also reminded residents to be on the lookout for possible heavy rainfall during the next few days.

Hau said he was able to get in touch with the offices of Pingtung County Magistrate Tsao Chi-hung, Tainan County Magistrate Su Huan-jhih, and Kaohsiung County Magistrate Yang Chiu-hsing on August 8 to understand the assistance they require for conducting rescue and relief operations.

Fire Department Commissioner Hsiung Kwang-hua indicated that the city has dispatched 130 staff from the departments of Fire, Public Works, and Civil Affairs to central and southern Taiwan, in addition to 30 motor boats, 10 rubber rafts, 3 mobile drainage pumps, and various vehicles including water trucks and street cleaning trucks.

Recalling his previous experience as the secretary-general of the Red Cross Society of the ROC, Hau remarked that he is familiar with disaster relief and related operations. The decision to establish a command center for dispatched staff and equipment at the Emergency Operation Center will help the city gather the most up-to-date information, allowing efficient deployment of resources, personnel, and equipment to the disaster area.

Responding to questions from reporters, the mayor confirmed that he has received a message from President Ma Ying-jeou on August 9. In the message, President Ma urged Taipei City Government to assist the relief efforts in central and southern Taiwan. Hau stressed that the city government maintains close contact with both the central government and the other municipality governments and will provide assistance as needed.