A total of NT$743 million (US$26.2 million) has been raised in Taiwan in the 18 days since a government-designated account and an online funding platform were established to raise money to help refugees who have been forced to flee Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
As of 8am yesterday, the account had received NT$587.32 million, while donations from an online payment platform reached NT$156.36 million, the Relieve Disaster Foundation said.
The foundation was commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate the donation drive and ensure that its humanitarian goals are met.
Photo: Sam Yeh, AFP
The drive is being overseen by the central bank, the Financial Supervisory Commission and the Ministry of Finance, the foundation said.
Banking service charges are being refunded by the foundation for funds that are transferred into the donation account before noon on April 1, when the drive ends, it said.
The foundation encourages the public to contribute through its account at the Land Bank of Taiwan (code 005; account number 102-005-124-619), which is registered under the name “Relieve Disaster Foundation.”
Donations can also be made on the funding platform wabay.tw/projects/twuk, it added.
Donations made at convenience stores and virtual ATMs can be accepted until March 27, the foundation said.
A significant portion of the funds has been earmarked for medical aid and resettlement for Ukrainian refugees, as well as to purchase daily necessities.
The foundation has pledged NT$1 billion as a goal to ease the financial burdens of countries many refugees have fled to, particularly Poland and Slovakia, a foundation official said, adding that agencies in host countries have been wired NT$450 million.
The foundation would make public regular financial reports in accordance with the Charity Donations Act (公益勸募條例), the official added.
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
EVA Airways today confirmed the death of a flight attendant on Saturday upon their return to Taiwan and said an internal investigation has been launched, as criticism mounted over a social media post accusing the airline of failing to offer sufficient employee protections. According to the post, the flight attendant complained of feeling sick on board a flight, but was unable to take sick leave or access medical care. The crew member allegedly did not receive assistance from the chief purser, who failed to heed their requests for medical attention or call an ambulance once the flight landed, the post said. As sick
The Taichung District Court yesterday confirmed its final ruling that the marriage between teenage heir Lai (賴) and a man surnamed Hsia (夏) was legally invalid, preventing Hsia from inheriting Lai’s NT$500 million (US$16.37 million) estate. The court confirmed that Hsia chose not to appeal the civil judgement after the court handed down its ruling in June, making the decision final. In the June ruling, the court said that Lai, 18, and Hsia, 26, showed “no mutual admiration before the marriage” and that their interactions were “distant and unfamiliar.” The judge concluded that the couple lacked the “true intention of
A drunk woman was sexually assaulted inside a crowded concourse of Taipei Railway Station on Thursday last week before a foreign tourist notified police, leading to calls for better education on bystander intervention and review of security infrastructure. The man, surnamed Chiu (邱), was taken into custody on charges of sexual assault, taking advantage of the woman’s condition and public indecency. Police discovered that Chiu was a fugitive with prior convictions for vehicle theft. He has been taken into custody and is to complete his unserved six-month sentence, police said. On Thursday last week, Chiu was seen wearing a white