Although I really don't have the heart to criticize the government for its earthquake relief efforts, it seems that many aspects of its operations so far have left significant room for improvement.
For a start, the government clearly had problems quickly reconnecting communications systems islandwide. After the quake struck, roads leading to many of the most severely devastated mountainous regions were completely cut off. This is understandable, but what made matters worse was that telecommunications, both fixed-line and mobile, were still disconnected 36 hours after the first shock.
As a result, it was difficult to gain a clear understanding of conditions within these regions, let alone find a way of getting badly needed aid through. People stranded there were forced to endure an agonizing wait for relief to arrive. The few desperate people who were able to make their way through to the outside to call for help arrived mostly too late.
In contrast with the earnest repair efforts conducted by Chunghwa Telecom and other private cellular phone companies, what did the military do? Was all its field-combat training just for show? Why couldn't the military immediately air drop telecommunication specialists well-trained for field combat into these mountainous regions to set up temporary telecommunication facilities or make emergency repairs of the damaged circuits or pylons?
Furthermore, perhaps the government could have contacted US intelligence authorities to provide satellite information on the areas most devastated by the quake. This way the government could better understand the situation in these areas and proceed with relief efforts through specific air drops.
The government also obviously had difficulty in managing the distribution of supplies. During the initial phase of the relief operation, there was a general shortage of heavy machinery to help excavate collapsed buildings. The media had to call on the general public to provide such equipment. The first evening after the quake (Tuesday night), radio broadcasts continuously called for public donations of batteries for the lighting of excavation sites at night. Temporary shelters were short on ice boxes, so Yangming Marine Transport Corp provided cargo freezers after hearing of the shortage via the media. Similarly, donations of electricity generators, gasoline, sleeping bags, drinking water, food, and other supplies poured in after pleas from the media.
We cannot help but expect the government to react to the quake as it would during a time of war, by taking the initiative in purchasing all necessary supplies, mobilizing all available means of transportation, and then moving the supplies to the devastated areas. Common citizens may have batteries, sleeping bags, cookies, bread, and much more enthusiasm to offer to the quake victims, but they do not have the means of transportation, and do not know where to deliver the supplies. The government should bear responsibility for this.
As if the domestic coordination efforts were not poor enough, international assistance has been hampered by government inexperience in dealing with overseas agencies. After the quake, many countries and international organizations expressed a willingness to offer aid. Japan, in particular, is world-renowned for its efficiency in earthquake rescue and relief management. However, a canine rescue team from Japan reportedly did not arrive until 16 hours after the quake struck. I cannot help but wonder that if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs really had immediately sought assistance from countries well-known for their efficiency, such as Japan, would it have taken 16 hours for the first canine rescue team to reach Taiwan? Japan is not more than four hours away.
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