Taiwan donates US$200,000 to El Salvador for hurricane relief

The donation was presented by ROC Ambassador to El Salvador Liao Shih-chieh to Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez, according to a statement released by the ROC Embassy.

Liao said the government and people of Taiwan feel empathy for El Salvador because the country was devastated in August by Typhoon Morakot, the worst typhoon to strike Taiwan in half a century, the embassy said.

Saying that Taiwan hopes to offer timely post-disaster assistance for El Salvador, Liao also encouraged the hurricane-affected victims to quickly get back on their feet and begin reconstructing their homes, citing a Taiwanese proverb that says the greater setback a person is faced with, the more bravery he will gain, the embassy said.

In return, Martinez expressed his appreciation to Taiwan for its humanitarian concern. He said the money was the first donation his country has received in the wake of the hurricane and that it will be put into a government account for disaster relief.

Liao also presented quilts, blankets, food and other supplies donated by several charitable groups to National Police Chief Carlos Asencio, which will be distributed to 146 police families affected by the storm, according to the embassy.

Deadly floods and mudslides triggered by Hurricane Ida killed at least 140 people, destroyed 18 bridges and 2,000 houses, and left up to 14,000 people homeless in the country, according to international media reports.

Republic of China President Ma Ying-jeou and Foreign Minister Timothy Chin-tien Yang sent messages of condolence to El Salvador President Mauricio Funes and Martinez Monday, immediately following the disaster.

In addition, Taiwan's Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation's office in El Salvador was scheduled to begin relief work the following day.

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