The Executive Yuan today said it would propose an amendment and expanded budget with a minimum of NT$20 billion (US$657.54 million) for a special disaster relief package to aid areas hit by torrential rain and flooding this summer.
The package would provide relief to those affected by July’s Typhoon Danas and other storms, as well as Super Typhoon Ragasa, which caused extensive flooding that led to the bursting of a barrier lake on the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪), sending mud and debris through Hualien County’s Guangfu Township (光復).
The confirmed death toll from Ragasa remained at 18, while six people are still missing and 139 others were injured nationwide, the Central Emergency Operations Center said yesterday.
Photo: Wang Chun-chi, Taipei Times
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) in today’s Cabinet meeting observed a moment of silence for the victims, while expressing his condolences to their families.
The government would continue to focus on rescue and restoration efforts, with a several phase plan aimed at saving lives, aiding reconstruction, removing mud and debris, and restoring local transportation, he said.
Families of those killed would receive NT$1 million, while those seriously injured would receive NT$250,000, he said.
Meanwhile, the government would provide recovery aid from NT$50,000 to NT$100,000 per household, with an additional NT$50,000 subsidy to help remove mud and debris, he said.
Taiwan Power Co and Taiwan Water Corp would waive electricity and water bills for last month and this month, Cho added.
The government is also planning to provide rent subsidies, temporary lodging, agricultural disaster relief, and assistance for businesses and enterprises, he said.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare is providing medical treatment and prescription refills without a national health insurance card, medicine delivery, a three-month waiver of copayments and a six-month waiver of health insurance premiums, he said.
A total of 25 relief measures, with a budget of NT$2.5 billion, would be included in the central government’s plan, targeting disaster victims, indigenous peoples, farmers and businesses, the Cabinet said.
Public Construction Commission Chairman Derek Chen (陳金德), who was tasked to head disaster relief and reconstruction efforts in July, is to lead a cross-departmental team to the worst-hit areas to set up a one-stop service platform on Tuesday next week, it said.
The platform would accept applications for financial aid, promote the relief measures and provide consultations for applicants, it said.
"I hope caucuses across the Legislative Yuan will quickly support this," he said.
The Cabinet on Aug. 7approved a draft of the special act, which the legislature passed on Aug. 15, increasing the maximum budget from NT$56 billion to NT$60 billion.
The Executive Yuan later passed a special budget bill on Aug. 21, and the Legislative Yuan authorized the full NT$60 billion in a third reading on Aug. 29.
Additional reporting by CNA
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