A total of 47 Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel stationed abroad visited the Executive Yuan's Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council on July 21st, during their return to Taiwan. Deputy CEO Chern of the Reconstruction Council was there to receive them, and the Director of the Planning Department, Chang Herng-yuh, briefed the group on the current reconstruction progress and results. He delivered information regarding the damaged caused by Typhoon Morakot and the progress of related disaster relief and reconstruction efforts. The Reconstruction Council also arranged for MOFA personnel to visit the permanent housing construction in Shanlin Township’s Da Ai Community and Yonglin Organic Farm so they may gain a better understanding of the actual progress being made in homeland reconstruction and industry guidance within the disaster zone, which will aid in their international promotion of the reconstruction efforts.

Head of the MOFA Department of Personnel, Mr. Li Zhong Zheng, first praised the government for its efficiency in post-disaster reconstruction efforts. He also recognized the government’s efforts in constructing more than just permanent housing in the reconstruction process, placing value on the reconstruction of communal elements such as employment, culture, spirituality, and restoration of the community. At the same time, Mr. Li also encouraged diplomatic personnel stationed in Europe, North America, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia to introduce the government’s groundbreaking experience and reconstruction model to the countries where they are stationed. This will ensure that the local public gains further understanding of Taiwanese reconstruction efforts, and also enhance the international visibility of post-disaster reconstruction efforts for Typhoon Morakot.

During his address, Deputy CEO Dr. Chern stated that reconstruction efforts are a race against time and requires us to learn how to cope with climate changes in nature. He used the example of how heavy rains have impacted reconstruction efforts in Central and Southern Taiwan in recent days to illustrate the difficulties and challenges of post-disaster reconstruction after Typhoon Morakot. He especially stressed that in the future, most disasters will be compound ones. The interaction and cooperation between nations is a vital topic in this day and age. This makes the role of diplomatic personnel as a bridge of communication even more vital, as they can aid in international exchanges on disaster reconstruction. At the same time, Deputy CEO Dr. Chern shared his experiences on permanent housing construction, speaking about the combined effort of governmental and private organizations, corporations, and local residents during reconstruction. This is a topic that all nations need to learn about in the face of natural disasters, and the innovative model Taiwan created during permanent housing construction serves as a fine example.

During his briefing, Mr. Chang pointed out that the most precious asset of Taiwanese society was the boundless kindness present, and our NGOs which have provided aid all over the world. Take the Typhoon Morakot disaster for example; 23 million Taiwanese citizens donated a total sum of NT$25.1 billion. The kindness of Taiwanese people is clear as donations for this year’s Great East Japan Earthquake also reached more than NT$ 6.02 billion and more than NT$5.7 billion for the Sichuan Earthquake of 2008. The experience gained through the cooperation between governmental and private organizations and the various overseas aid and construction efforts NGOs have provided during post-disaster reconstruction for Typhoon Morakot has thoroughly demonstrated the soft power of Taiwan.

After listening to the briefing about reconstruction results and watching a documentary on reconstruction efforts, the diplomatic personnel stationed at all major continents showed deep concern about  reconstruction progress after Typhoon Morakot during the group discussion which followed. They were also moved by the hard work that various governmental departments have invested in reconstruction efforts and praised the innovation involved in this process, stating that these breakthroughs will serve as fantastic examples for other nations. The visit came to a successful conclusion amidst much mutual encouragement from all who participated. Thereafter, MOFA personnel visited the permanent housing construction in Shanlin Township’s Da Ai Community and Yonglin Organic Farm to gain a firsthand understanding of the homeland reconstruction and industry guidance that is taking place within the disaster zone.

 

外交部駐外人員提問熱烈

重建會陳振川副執行長與外交部駐外人員意見交流