Realtor donates NT16.9 million for disaster relief

Premier Yu Shyi-kun accepted a NT$16.9 million (US$531,446) donation on behalf of the government from a private realtor yesterday for disaster relief programs in Southeast and South Asian countries.

The donation from the Sinyi Realty Group was the biggest private contribution received by the government since the disaster occurred. Yu said the donation shows the humanitarian concern and the warmth of the people of Taiwan.

Sinyi Realty Chairman Chou Chun-chi (周俊吉) said his company arrived at the donation amount by multiplying the number of employees in the company by NT$10,000.

"We hope our move can inspire other local enterprises to join the aid campaign to help the tsunami victims," Chou said.

Yu said Taiwan has pledged to donate US$50 million in relief aid to stricken countries, making Taiwan the world's 11th largest donor.

Yu said the government is actively negotiating with tsunami-affected countries to sponsor full reconstruction programs in a specific disaster zone.

As of Tuesday, cash donations from private citizens to a special account opened by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for aid to tsunami-hit countries had exceeded NT$180 million (US$5.72 million).

Meanwhile, the Government Information Office (GIO) is planning to launch a sponsorship program to support 10,000 children in countries affected by the disaster, GIO Director-General Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said yesterday.

Under the program, each child will be provided with NT$10,000 (US$313) per month over a three-year period, Lin said.