In order to resettle those from Pingtung County's Taiwu Village in Taiwu Township who were affected by Typhoon Morakot, the ROC Red Cross subsidized the construction of Xinchi Farm permanent housing. The opening ceremony was held on August 15th, in conjunction with the annual Paiwan tribe Joint Good Harvest Festival in Taiwu Township. President Ma Ying-Jeou, Presidential Office Secretary-General Wu Jin-Lin, Legislative Yuan Vice President Tseng Yung-Chuan, Chairman Chen Zhang Wen of the Red Cross, Deputy Chairman Vincent Lo of the Hong Kong Red Cross, Chairman Chou Kuok-Hei of the Macau Red Cross, Deputy CEO Dr. Chern Jenn-Chuan of the Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council, Executive Yuan, Deputy Minister Xia Jin-Long of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Magistrate Tsao Chi Hung of Pingtung County, Taiwu Township Mayor Sun Wan-Chiao, tribal chief Alayiyang Dakana, and other resident representatives attended this heart-warming, monumental occasion.

The Xinchi Farm permanent housing base is located in Wanluan Township, Pingtung County. It occupies a plot of 10 hectares. The land originally belonged to the Taiwan Sugar Corporation before it was expropriated by the government and turned over to the Red Cross for construction of 118 permanent housing units. The plot faces Dawu Mountain, and is where the disaster victims from Taiwu Township are being settled. The Executive Yuan's Council of Indigenous Peoples provided funding subsidization for the base's fundamental public infrastructure, while the Ministry of Interior's Construction and Planning Agency was responsible for construction implementation. The village residents held a discussion and decided to name the base "Wulaluzi Tribes".

The event kicked off with the sounding of gun salutes and a tribal warrior dance. Guests such as President Ma and Magistrate Tsao lit the flame of heritage at Wulaluzi Tribes, alongside village elders in accordance with traditional ceremony. They sprinkled dirt from the old village, water, and millet to symbolize the link to the old village and eternal continuity. After simple dedication from the guests in attendance, the move-in ceremony began. ROC Red Cross Chairman Chen and Deputy Chairman Lo of the Hong Kong Red Cross presented Magistrate Tsao with the key to the permanent housing base, who in turn presented the key to the village chief. Thereafter, President Ma, ROC Red Cross Chairman Chen and Hong Kong Red Cross Chairman Tsao presented NT$10,000 and NT$56,000 in gift certificates respectively as moving-in presents to each tribe representative, while the representatives returned the gift with traditional headwear and shoulder ornaments as tokens of gratitude.

During his dedication, President Ma stated that the government knows intimately how those who have been affected by Typhoon Morakot feel. He expressed gratitude to private organizations such as charity organizations and businesses for cooperating with the government after Typhoon Morakot to create an unprecedented model for reconstruction, with their assistance in constructing permanent housing and rebuilding school campuses. The ROC Red Cross also worked jointly with the government to construct an activity center and coffee industry center. In the past two years, the government has provided 216.5 hectares of land and simplified administrative procedures. 2,946 permanent housing units have been completed, a completion rate of nearly 90%, benefiting more than 10,000 individuals. Pingtung County has also completed a total of 1,178 permanent housing units in bases such as Rinari Community, Changzhi Baihe Community, Xinlaiyi Community, and Wulaluzi Tribes, a completion rate of 95.46%.

President Ma also mentioned that although relocating was a very difficult decision to make for the tribesmen, all should treat safety as their first concern and find a safe base where they can make their new residence into their new home, and then create a new homeland. The government will aim to meet comprehensive demands in residential, life, education, employment, industry, religion, and cultural heritage while assisting the new community in constructing basic public facilities for living and recreating the tribal environment and cultural significance. The permanent housing base will be transformed into a Colorful Sustainable Community.

When President Ma remembered his stay at Pingtung County Rinari Community last week, he took a stroll around the village in the cool evening breeze and saw the residents sitting and chatting in front of their porches while the children played. This feeling of "home" was reminiscent of the scene described in The Peach Colony by Tao Yuan-Ming. He also encouraged some people to stop referring to these hard-working people who are doing all they can to rebuilt their homes as "disaster victims" or to the area as a "disaster area".

While President Ma had to depart after the completion of the move-in ceremony, personnel from the county government led the remaining guests on a tour of the sample house. Afterwards, they went to the Taiawu Elementary School to take part in the children's choir CD release conference and Taiwu coffee promotion event at the industrial center. After a trip around the area, they enjoyed a noontime feast prepared by the village residents. The organizer also arranged a series of events within the Taiwu Township Joint Good Harvest Festival opening ceremony, setting a new milestone for Wulaluzi Tribes with a lively, joyful atmosphere.
 

馬總統致贈吾拉魯滋居民代表入住禮金

馬總統參觀吾拉魯滋永久屋向民眾揮手致意

吾拉魯滋部落鄉親致贈感謝禮