Print

Mail

wiki links

Displaced Alishan families move into prefab houses

The first batch of prefabricated housing units delivered to Alishan (阿里山) has been turned over to 40 Tsou Aboriginal families that were displaced after Typhoon Morakot struck in early August.

The Chiayi County Government said the 42 prefabricated housing units were constructed by the Red Cross Society of the Republic of China at the 60km marker of the Alishan Highway.

The displaced families moved into 40 prefabricated housing units while the remaining two units will serve as the makeshift office of the Red Cross Society, enabling it to offer on-the-spot psychological counseling, employment and reconstruction advice to the victims.

County government officials said that each of the housing units had a TV, refrigerator, washing machine, furniture, beds, closets and kitchen equipment provided by the Red Cross Society. All the Tsou families had to do was move in.

The tribe yesterday held a traditional ceremony for moving into a new house, which included praying for blessings and the unveiling of a plaque.

Tribe members prepared traditional dishes to share with guests and sang “We are a family” to express their appreciation for the reconstruction efforts made on their behalf.

Chiayi County Commissioner Chen Ming-wen (陳明文) said that considering the needs of the victims in Alishan Township, the county has actively worked with all sides to choose convenient places for the construction of prefabricated housing units.

“More such prefabricated housing units will be constructed,” the commissioner said.
This story has been viewed 713 times.