Xiaolin village was hit severely during the 88 (August 8th) flood. The government joined forces with private sector to relocate the villagers to a site about 3 km from the original site (Wulipu Permanent housing base) which was completed today(漏：小林社區) (15th of the month).  President Ma responded to the demands of Xiaolin villagers last year on August 8th, and promised renewal of Ri-Guan Xiaolin Community (Xiaolin Second Village) in Shanlin District, Kaohsiung, which today held a groundbreaking ceremony. President Ma Ying-jeou, Premier Wu Den-Yih of the Executive Yuan, CEO Lin Join-sane, Deputy CEO Chern Jenn-Chuan of Reconstruction Council, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu, Chairman Chen Zhang Wen of Red Cross, Chairman Tsai Sung Yu of Xiaolin Village Reconstruction Development Association, Director Liu Xian-Rong of Xiaolin Community Development Association were all present to celebrate the joy of the rebirth of their homeland.

President mentioned in his speech that last August 8 the Xiaolin villagers discussed how to accomplish Xiaolin village’s ideals. Through the joint efforts of the central and local government, as well as private sector, in less than 6 months the ground-breaking of Xiaolin II Village was completed. The hope is that this year, as scheduled, the June 30 transfer will be complete. So far, 75% of the victims are in permanent housing, and the hope is that by the 2-year anniversary of the Typhoon, all the work of the construction of permanent housing will be completed and that all people who need permanent housing can be moved into permanent housing. It is a very moving and inspiring process; compared with the 921 earthquake, the government’s speed and efficiency of reconstruction improved dramatically, showing that the Government learned from the experience.

In assisting the Xiaolin village reconstruction the government adopted a free democratic attitude, and respected the will of the residents in promoting the plan. There were 56 households who moved into the Shanlin permanent housing facilities last year. This year there are 90 households who will move to a new permanent community Po Housing Xiaolin, and now groundbreaking for Xiaolin 2nd village permanent housing will be completed for 120 more households by the end of June this year, bringing the total number of households to be relocated to the new homes to 266 by the end of June.

In this process, Premier Wu, Secretary General Lin, Deputy CEO Chern Jenn-Chuan and the service team worked very hard day and night for the reconstruction; former Kaohsiung County Magistrate Yang also actively cooperated and assisted. The sincere hope is that the residents moving in today will slowly adapt to their new homes, and the Government will continue to assist with economic renewal and community renewal.

After the groundbreaking ceremony, President Ma was driven to Wulipu Xiaolin community Permanent Housing Base for the inauguration of the permanent houses. He not only thanked the Red Cross Society and the reconstruction unit for creating a team to help reconstruction work, but also wished that the people would enjoy their new lives in the new homes, to continue the original village’s Siraya Xiaolin Pingpu culture. Xiaolin community residents thanked the assistance of the government and relevant units by presenting handmade vests as an expression of gratitude.