The fundraiser to provide disaster relief to Hualien County after it was devastated by Super Typhoon Ragasa had as of last night received more than NT$430 million (US$14.08 million), reaching 86 percent of its NT$500 million goal in just four days, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said today.
Heavy rains from the typhoon caused the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) barrier lake to burst on Tuesday last week, flooding Hualien County's Guangfu Township (光復) and damaging countless people’s homes and property.
The Taiwan Foundation for Disaster Relief on Thursday last week launched a public fundraiser to aid Hualien, accepting donations via domestic and international bank transfers, LinePay and convenience stores.
Photo: Screen grab from Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Facebook page
The foundation aims to raise NT$500 million within one month.
As of yesterday, 183,202 donations totaling NT$433,535,219 had been received, the ministry said on Facebook today, thanking those who had donated.
Of the donations, NT$207,366,867 came through bank transfers, NT$175,852,500 via Line Pay and NT$50,314,852 from convenience store chains, information on the foundation's Web site showed.
LinePay accounted for the largest number of donations at 128,313, the information showed.
The funds raised would be used exclusively for disaster-related assistance, emergency medical care and reconstruction projects, the ministry said.
Donations can be made to the Taiwan Foundation for Disaster Relief's account No. 102-005-201-966 at the Land Bank of Taiwan (code 005).
Overseas donations can be made to the same account at the Land Bank of Taiwan's Changchuen Branch at No. 156, Changchun Rd, Zhongshan District (中山), Taipei, 10459, Taiwan, using the SWIFT code LBOTTWTP102.
Those wanting to donate via LinePay can find the Mataian River Flooding Disaster Relief Project (馬太鞍溪堰塞湖災害專案) on the Charity Donation platform (愛心捐款).
Donations can also be made at 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Hi-Life and OK Mart.
No handling fees would be charged for donations, the ministry said.
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