Following a devastating earthquake that struck Taiwan’s eastern Hualien city on April 3, the government has approved approximately $878 million for earthquake relief efforts. The magnitude 7.4 quake, the most severe since a 7.6 magnitude quake in 1999, caused widespread damage and landslides, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and over 1,100 injuries.
The government’s ‘0403 Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Plan’ allocates funding for various purposes, including emergency repair and reconstruction of public facilities, resettlement and reconstruction of private homes, industrial revitalization, and assistance programs. The government emphasizes its commitment to working with local authorities to provide swift and effective aid to those affected by the disaster.
The quake occurred weeks before the inauguration of Taiwan’s incoming president, Lai Ching-te, who took office on May 20 after winning the January presidential elections. The 1999 quake, with a magnitude of 7.6, claimed the lives of around 2,400 people, making it the deadliest natural disaster in Taiwan’s history.
Taiwan has implemented strict building codes and disaster preparedness measures, which are credited with averting a greater catastrophe in the recent earthquake. These measures have played a crucial role in safeguarding lives and minimizing damage during seismic events.
