Vietnamese nationals volunteer to clean up Guangfu Township after floods

Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) A group of approximately 20 Vietnamese workers in Taiwan volunteered their time over the Teacher's Day holiday weekend to help clean up Guangfu Township in Hualien County, which was recently devastated by floods.

The township was inundated after the Matai'an Creek barrier lake overflowed last week following heavy rain from Typhoon Ragasa. An estimated 60 million tonnes of muddy water rushed into Guangfu, leaving streets covered in thick mud.

The volunteers, who traveled from Taoyuan, spent three days -- from Saturday to Monday night -- clearing mud and debris.

Tuan Nguyen, who co-organized the effort, said he sees Taiwan as a "second home" and felt compelled to help since he could not afford to donate cash. He said he lives in central Taiwan, which is also vulnerable to typhoons, and this helped him relate to those hit hardest by Typhoon Ragasa.

He said he was particularly impressed with the hospitality shown by Hualien residents even in times of despair. "They took really good care of us and provided us with anything we needed, whether it be food or accommodation."

Nguyễn Văn Tùng Quân, the youngest volunteer in the group and a student in Taiwan, told CNA that footage of the disaster motivated him to help. "I really feel for them. The high floodwaters have left so many displaced."

Another volunteer, Ma Văn Toàn, told CNA, "We want to show our unselfish love for one another. It doesn't matter whether we're in Vietnam or in Taiwan. This is the least we can do."

When local media nicknamed them "superheroes with shovels," Nguyen responded that it was an exaggeration. "It's only natural to help those in need," he said.