A volunteer group consisting primarily of Indonesian construction workers yesterday traveled to Hualien County's Guangfu Township (光復) to clear the streets of mud and debris left by floodwaters, providing much-needed assistance to areas devastated by a barrier lake overflow.
The Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) barrier lake on Tuesday last week flooded after Super Typhoon Ragasa pounded eastern Taiwan with heavy rains. An estimated 60 million tonnes of muddy water rushed downstream into Guangfu Township, covering the streets in thick mud.
Huang Jung-tun (黃榮墩), founder of the non-governmental organization Welldoer House, organized the cleanup campaign online, appealing for volunteers.
Photo courtesy of Welldoer House
About 40 Indonesians and 10 Vietnamese, who mostly work at construction sites in Taiwan, answered the call, said Tsai I-yang (蔡翼陽), a member of Welldoer House.
Equipped with helmets, rain boots and shovels, they gathered at Hualien Station at 5am and departed for Guangfu.
Kholis Anwar, one of the Indonesian volunteers who works at an auto repair shop, said that he wanted to show solidarity with those affected by the disaster.
Photo courtesy of Welldoer House
"I was free today [yesterday], so I made plans to help," Kholis said.
"When I arrived, the roads were still muddy, with some puddles. Most household items on the ground floor had been damaged beyond repair and mud had poured into the buildings," he said.
Kholis said his interactions with locals were warm.
"They were happy [to see us] and did not forget to say thank you to us and give us all a thumbs-up," he said.
For nine years, Welldoer House has routinely distributed aid to migrant workers at fishing ports, Huang said.
He said he hopes that these actions will reduce discrimination against migrant workers in Taiwan and increase the public's understanding and appreciation of their contributions to society.
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