Donations to Hualien flood relief fund top US$29.6 million

Taipei, Oct. 5 (CNA) Donations to the relief fund for residents affected by floods in Hualien County have topped NT$900 million (US$29.6 million) as of Friday, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Saturday.

The fund was set up on Sept. 25 to support around 1,800 households in Guangfu Township, which was inundated on Sept. 23 after the Matai'an barrier lake overflowed.

As of Friday, the account had received more than 252,000 donations totaling NT$931.28 million, according to the ministry.

People can donate via LINE Pay, convenience store kiosks, or through money transfers at post offices and banks until Oct. 24.

Meanwhile, volunteers from across Taiwan have continued traveling to Guangfu to help with recovery work.

About 100 teachers and students from New Taipei joined cleanup efforts at two badly damaged schools - National Kuangfu Commercial and Industrial Vocational High School and Guangfu Junior High School - according to the New Taipei City Education Department.

The city also sent cleaning equipment, including 50 high-pressure washers, 50 boxes of hoses and 40 extension cords.

New Taipei Education Department head Chang Ming-wen (張明文) said restoring safe and clean learning spaces is a priority to allow classes to resume as soon as possible.

"New Taipei has also experienced typhoons and flooding in the past, so we understand how difficult post-disaster recovery can be," Chang said.

Active-duty military personnel and cadets have also headed to Guangfu to help remove mud and debris from the streets.

Meanwhile, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), inspecting relief work on Sunday, said authorities must continue monitoring water levels, build a makeshift barrier, dredge the riverbed and strengthen emergency evacuation plans.

He also urged search and rescue teams to make every effort to find the six residents still missing after the disaster.