Additional Gift Certificates for Earthquake Survivors in Hualien, Taiwan
For the last eight months, Peace Winds has been supporting survivors of the April 2024 earthquake that struck Hualien, Taiwan. In July, our teams began a program to distribute gift certificates so that families could buy what they needed from local grocery stores, and in November, 1,000 additional households received these vouchers.
For this round of aid, Peace Winds distributed gift vouchers to former residents of Hualien’s “Uranus Building” who were forced to evacuate their homes. The Uranus Building was a 10-story commercial and residential building in the city center, and structural weaknesses made it particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage. The April earthquake caused it to lean at a 25 degree angle, and the building was demolished in the following weeks to prevent further damage or injury.
Many of the Uranus Building’s former residents are now living with friends or family, in evacuation centers, or in temporary housing provided by the government. While almost all are in need of aid, specific needs vary from person to person, depending on their living situation and other factors. Rather than providing supplies, Peace Winds has found that gift certificates offer residents the flexibility to buy what is essential for them, and most choose to spend the money on food and essentials such as toiletries.
Peace Winds collaborated with representatives of the Uranus Building to figure out how to carry out the distribution in an equitable manner. On the day of the distribution, the Peace Winds team worked with volunteers from among the residents, and everything went smoothly. Staff members engaged in meaningful conversations with residents; at the end of the second day, representatives from the building even delivered a thank you letter to Peace Winds. We are filled with gratitude for our partners and supporters who make our work possible. Our hope is that the gift certificates will make things just a bit easier for Taiwan’s earthquake survivors, allowing them to once again share meals with their family and friends.
Peace Winds will continue to provide long-term support to earthquake survivors in Hualien. If you would like to donate to this program, please click here and choose “Taiwan earthquake” in the dropdown menu.