The donations that have flooded in following the Feb. 6 earthquake are sufficient to take care of quake-affected people and pay for reconstruction efforts, Tainan Mayor William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday.
As of Friday last week, a total of NT$2.94 billion (US$87.59 million) had been received, while money that had been pledged, but not yet donated, amounted to NT$600 million, making a total of NT$3.54 billion, Lai said.
“This is enough to take care of people affected by the quake and post-quake reconstruction efforts,” Lai said, asking the public not to donate any more.
Photo: CNA
Speaking at a news conference to elaborate on the donations and express his appreciation, Lai said that as NT$600 million is yet to come, the donation account cannot be closed immediately.
Japan and the US have also expressed their willingness to donate toward post-quake reconstruction efforts, he said, adding that the figure for donations does not include money pledged from abroad, which the city government is still prepared to accept.
Lai said the government would publish the details of every donation it has received and would set up a monitoring committee, with Tainan Deputy Mayor Tseng Hsu-cheng (曾旭正) serving as convener.
Members of the committee would include three representatives of quake-affected families, as well as related city government officials and recommended experts in structural engineering, legal affairs and accounting.
The donations would not be used in haste, he said, adding that discussions over their disbursement would take place after the funerals for those who died have taken place.
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