Sun, Oct 03, 1999 page6

• An `open letter' to Taichung residents

  • Chen Yu-Hsin, deputy commissioner of Taichung County
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  The 921 earthquake toppled many homes in central Taiwan. Many areas in Taichung County, including Fengyuan (豐原), Tungshih (東勢), Shihkang (石岡), Hsinshe (新社), Hoping (和平), Tali (大里), Taiping (太平) and Wufeng (霧峰) have suffered devastating damage. Since the epicenter of the quake was in Chichi in Nantou County, mass media and central government attention was focused on that county immediately after the quake hit. News of Taichung's casualties, in contrast, failed to make it to the outside world. Therefore, most of the initial relief efforts were devoted to Nantou County. However, its worth noting here that so far, more than 2,000 people died in the quake and its aftermath, of which 1,025 were Taichung residents.

  The quake struck at 1:47am on Sept. 21. The Taichung County government set up a disaster prevention and relief center within 30 minutes. By 3am, almost all top-level officials from the county government were already stationed at the center. At 7:30am, Taichung County Commissioner Liao Yung-lai (廖永來) and other officials made their way through buckled roads and finally arrived in Tungshih. Tungshih, the starting point of the Central Cross-Island Highway, was almost completely destroyed, as was Hoping , located deep in the mountains. The next day, the government reopened Fengshih Road (豐勢路) -- the only road linking Fengyuan and Tungshih -- for relief efforts. On the third day, it repaired the Central Cross-Island Highway leading to the Hoping township administration office. By that time, the media finally switched its attention to casualties in Taichung County, and the government finally acquired aid resources to carry out relief efforts.

  As soon as the earthquake struck, the Taichung County government began its initial phase of relief efforts with "rescue" and "resettlement" work as top priorities. In addition to the above-mentioned disaster prevention and relief center, it also established six "front line command posts" in quake-stricken areas to take charge of the county government's rescue policy and relief actions.

  Over 110 shelters were set up for more than 40,000 displaced people. In the second phase, the government issued relevant subsidies and, more significantly, started to set up a middle- and long-term rehabilitation scheme such as building prefabricated housing.

  The rebuilding work is a big challenge. It is also a test for the government's capability to implement contingencies -- in other words, how to make the best use of limited resources is a test for both central and local governments.

  It is also a test for the public. During the disaster, many people devoted themselves to donating funds as well as goods and materials. Some even personally joined search-and-rescue and relief crews. The county government really appreciate them. However, there were also a few unscrupulous people who tried to make some money from the disaster by cheating or hiking prices of goods and materials.

  The Taichung County government has mobilized all possible resources to carry out earthquake relief efforts. But the quake-devastated areas are scattered over a large region. The Taichung County government humbly accepts all criticism and is willing to do everything it can to resolve problems. Although not all Taichung residents may be satisfied with the work so far, the county government has really tried its best -- and is willing to work even harder to meet the public's expectations. Let us work together to rebuild Taichung County. Together, we can do it.

  Chen Yu-hsin is deputy commissioner of Taichung County.
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