The Morakot Typhoon’s first year anniversary was to come. The Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council, Executive Yuan held the “to build the future with hope and to rebuild homes with love” press conference this afternoon (the 6th) at the Press Center of  the Government Information Office, Executive Yuan . Not only would the press conference serve as an opportunity to explain the status of all projects to society, and to examine the results with everyone, it was the hope that the conference would be an occasion to offer thanks to those who helped with the reconstruction, including local governments, private organizations and corporations.  

The Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council stated that the Morakot disaster which shocked the international world let Taiwan experience the hardship of rebuilding after disaster. However the government’s various units dedicated themselves fully to reconstruction with the help of our society. The reconstruction was speedy and efficient. However, the fact remained that the consequences of earthquakes, typhoons, and water flooding to Taiwan were among the most severe in the world. With extreme weather changes around the world becoming the norm, combating natural disasters will become harder in the future. Therefore it is important to teach people the concepts of disaster resistance, preparation, and reduction. It is an uncontestable fact that people cannot conquer nature, and we must disseminate the concept of not living in a dangerous place.

The Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council pointed out that rebuilding after disaster is tremendous work in a race against time. All post-disaster reconstruction projects must be carried out before the flood season, monsoon, typhoon and any other possible natural disasters that may cause damage, to avoid a 2nd round of damage. With the efforts of relevant units, all reconstruction efforts have seen results. The current projects have already gradually moved from the basic needs of safety and residence to long-term and continuous planning of recreation and employment.

In the reconstruction of homes, 1,480 permanent houses have been completed, with nearly 6,000 beneficiaries; in infrastructure reconstruction, the 6 major road systems that were hit in a total of 128 major places, at up to 653 km of length and eight areas around the island railways, have already been repaired as of December 2009. Jiasian Bridge, Alishan highways and other important indicator projects have already been completed ahead of schedule; the gradual recovery of the surrounding areas in various industries is underway; in industrial reconstruction, Orchid farming has been fully restored, grouper aquaculture also reached 80% recovery; in addition to the “One village, one characteristic product” industry development plan, there are also plans to help indigenous people’s products with marketing, and to establish a marketing network to support the disaster area’s agricultural production. In addition, government also matches businesses to adopting disaster areas, to support the disaster stricken industry. Central and local governments also help with planning with communities in various permanent housing supporting industries and packaged tours in the hope that the disaster area’s economy will be lively and the livelihood problem will be solved for the majority of the victims.

In terms of the recent contentious village relocation topic which raised arguments, the Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council stressed that all the post disaster reconstruction work by the government will fully respect residents’ free will of movement and living . Whether it was specific high risk area rezoning or permanent housing application, the procedure will be fully explained and concesus will be discussed according to laws, and individual choices will be respected. There will not be any facts or methods of forcing indigenous people to leave their home towns or land. Whether the victims choose to return to their home towns to restore their lives, or to move into permanent housing, the government will equally care for them, and will provide necessary assistance and care.

The Reconstruction Special Act states in the beginning article that disaster area reconstruction will respect the ways of living, culture and community organization of the original people, community and indigenous tribes. The government will respect tribal history and culture and will provide methods to support such efforts. The reconstruction work will respect each tribe’s will and expand the participation mechanism. It also stress the integrity of the indigenous tribes and will help to rebuild homelands with each tribe’s unique culture.

At this point, post disaster reconstruction is a long road with no turning back. It requires courage to go forward and the determination to persist until the very end. It also requires much patience and love. All work runs into difficulty and resistance in the beginning. But as time goes on, as long as the efforts are beneficial to the people, the government should proceed and move forward no matter how severe the misunderstanding. Continued negotiation and coordination is also required. As the one year anniversary of the disaster approaches, the Reconstruction Council promises it will speed up the work, based on hope and love for people affected by the disaster, so they can live joyfully and work happily and rebuild a better lives in the future.