One Month Update: Earthquake Relief Activities in Hualien, Taiwan

May 6, 2024

Downtown Hualien

About one month has passed since the 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Hualien, Taiwan on April 3, killing at least 14 people and devastating communities. To make matters worse, the area was hit with a series of aftershocks on April 23, which reached up to a magnitude of 6 and increased the widespread damage to homes and buildings.

Over the past several weeks, Peace Winds teams have remained on the ground in Hualien. Staff members are coordinating with the local government and with our partner organization, Taiwan Disaster Medical Team Development Association (DMAT), to assess and meet the needs of survivors. Prior to the earthquake, Hualien was a tourist area. The tourist industry was hit hard by the disaster, decreasing business for local restaurants. To support both local businesses and earthquake survivors, Peace Winds teams are distributing lunch boxes with meals purchased from restaurants in the area.

Many people have had to evacuate their homes due to structural damage or destruction, and the number of evacuees has increased since the recent aftershocks. Because government evacuation centers closed within a few days of the earthquake, many evacuees are renting homes or apartments or staying with friends and family. Others have even returned to their partially damaged homes, which can be challenging for people, especially the elderly and disabled, who live on upper floors of apartment buildings where elevators are out of service.

The lack of centralization makes it difficult to determine where survivors are living and where aid is needed. While some evacuees are in need of cooking supplies for the kitchens where they are now living, others are lacking the kind of everyday essential items that are often needed immediately following a disaster like this. Local aid workers say that the need for relief supplies will likely continue to come in waves as people transition from one stage of recovery to another.

In addition to providing food support, Peace Winds’ lunch box distribution has allowed survivors to come together and rebuild their sense of community. People who used to be neighbors are now scattered throughout the city, but they have the chance to reconnect when they receive their meals and eat together. They have even begun discussing their plans to rebuild after the earthquake.

Although the damage in Hualien is now even worse, demolition work is underway to clear the debris and demolish unsafe buildings. A Peace Winds staff member who has been in the area since April 3 pointed out a restaurant where he ate xiao long bao just a few weeks ago, but noted that the building has now been destroyed by the aftershocks. An entire corner of the downtown area is completely impassable due to piles of rubble and construction vehicles.

Peace Winds will continue coordinating with DMAT to meet the ongoing needs of survivors. In the coming weeks, activities will continue to support survivors and the local economy through the distribution of lunch boxes. We will also work with partners to establish programs for long-term recovery, such as mental health and grief care, economic revitalization, and community-building.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the individuals and organizations who have generously contributed to support relief efforts in Hualien. So far, Peace Winds America donors have contributed nearly $150,000 in donations which will be used to continue Peace Winds’ relief activities and community recovery initiatives. If you have not yet made a donation and would like to do so, please click here to visit our donation page, and choose “Taiwan earthquake” in the dropdown menu. Thank you for your continued support.