Chinese:  , Taiwan’s authorities on Thursday ( May 2 ) approved around US$ 878 million for disaster relief after a large collapse last quarter killed at least 17 people and ruined buildings and equipment.
More than 1,100 people were hurt in the island’s Apr. 3 earthquake of magnitude 7.4, but strict building regulations and widespread disaster preparation are credited with preventing an even bigger crisis.
In eastern Hualien area, close to the core, large floods caused by the earthquake, which severely damaged bridges and buildings, and caused extensive landslides that blocked tunnels and ruined roads and buildings.
The cabinet announced Thursday it will make “utmost efforts” to rebuild homes and revitalise business, with an NT$ 28.55 billion ( US$ 878 million )” 0403 Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Plan”.
In accordance with the project, NT$ 18.44 billion will be designated for urgent repairs and reconstruction of common facilities, while NT$ 5.84 billion will be designated for the reconstruction and resettlement of private homes impacted by the earthquake.
Another NT$ 4.08 billion will fund commercial revitalisation, while NT$ 190 million will go to “other plan subsidies and job help programmes”, the government said.
” In the future, the central and local governments may work up… to ensure that the people receive the fastest, most enough, and most proper help”, the government said in a speech.
After winning the national elections in January, Taiwan’s receiving president Lai Ching-te will take office on May 20.
It was Taiwan’s most severe earthquake since a scale 7.6 collapse in 1999.
Some 2, 400 people died in that collapse, making it the deadliest healthy disaster in the island’s story.