On August 8, 2009, Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan, bringing Kaohsiung County’s mountain region more than two thousand mm in rainfall. Due to the steep mountain’s fragile geology and topography, coupled with accumulation of sand and gravel on the river bed, bad water outlets were obstructed and rare landslides, barrier lake burstingand so on suddenly occurred, causing serious disaster in Kaohsiung County. This hurricane disaster not only brings to people’s attention that climate change can render some areas unsuitable for residence, but also shows the relentless and unpredictable force of nature.

After the Morakot disaster, the central and local governments cooperated with NGOs to rebuild the affected areas. Reconstruction work began rapidly. Using Yuemei permanent housing as an example, currently 756 houses have been completed, and more than 1,800 people have started their new lives here. In addition, the Kaohsiung County Government assisted and guided the residents in forming the "Shanlin Da Ai Community Management Committee", for residents to self-manage community affairs and work together for the reconstruction of their homes; the Jiasian Bridge which was destroyed by flooding in 2008 was completed four months ahead of schedule, so that the Jiasian area is no longer isolated. Also, the 10th "tenth with luck, find happiness” Taro Festival coincides with the bridge opening tomorrow (the 26th), which will officially declare the recovery of Jiasian’s regional transport and tourism industries. Hopefully this will enliven the economy of the surrounding areas and help disaster victims return to everyday life as in the past.

Along with Taiwan Provincial Highway 21 starting from Cishan on, the Shanlin Da Ai Community, Yongling Organic Farms, the Jiasian Commercial Circle, Wulipu Xiaolin Village, and Xiaolin Village Memorial Park. The route has become an exemplary reconstruction corridor worthy of international reference. There will be theme tours and cultural guided tours to promote touristic transition coinciding with the organic farming cultivation area, and strengthen the permanent housing township and its construction and development of peripheral industries. On top of this, there will be emphasis on ethnic and cultural life, and a reconstruction related humanitarian landscape, further making this model location the reconstruction corridor that can incorporate international design as its axis. The area will focus on environmental restoration by the aboriginal populations, and in the future will develop in the directions of strengthening natural landscape restoration, sustainable development, and indigenous cultural industry development.

The Jiasian area is known within Taiwan for its agricultural products including "taro" products, "bamboo" and "plums".

In addition, it is located at the starting section of the Southern Cross-Island Highway, and is the main entrance to the Liugui, Taoyuan, and Namasia areas. Various tourists come to sightseeing during holidays. The Jiasian Bridge's opening is an important milestone for the disaster area reconstruction. It also lights up the hopes of surrounding areas.

The reconstruction of Kaohsiung County has seen some results in terms of infrastructure, home construction, industrial construction and cultural reconstruction. It has become a model in the reconstruction of disaster areas. The Reconstruction Council thanks the Central ministries, local governments and NGOs for their cooperation and selfless giving. The Council also hopes that the residents of disaster areas will follow suit and bring early completion to the reconstruction process.