Taiwan Allocates $878 Million for Earthquake Relief and Recovery

Learn how Taiwan's $878M allocation aids earthquake relief efforts, fostering community recovery and resilience.

On April 3, a massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, claiming the lives of at least 17 people, injuring more than 1,100, and causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. The earthquake triggered landslides that blocked tunnels and damaged roads and buildings, significantly impacting tourism and business in the eastern city of Hualien, near the epicenter. On Thursday, the Taiwanese government approved approximately $878 million for earthquake relief.

Government Allocates Funds for Recovery and Reconstruction

The cabinet announced the “0403 Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Plan,” which allocates NT$18.44 billion for emergency repair and reconstruction of public facilities, NT$5.84 billion for resettlement and reconstruction of private homes, NT$4.08 billion for industrial revitalization, and NT$190 million for insurance subsidies and employment assistance programs. The central and local governments will work together to ensure that the affected population receives the fastest, most adequate, and most timely help.

The earthquake struck just weeks before incoming president Lai Ching-te took office on May 20, following his victory in the January presidential elections. It was the most serious quake in Taiwan since the magnitude 7.6 earthquake in 1999, which claimed the lives of 2,400 people and remains the deadliest natural disaster in the island’s history.

Boosting Tourism in Post-Quake Hualien and Taitung Counties

To revitalize the tourism industry in post-quake Hualien and Taitung counties, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has allocated NT$5.3 billion to recovery and reconstruction work, with at least NT$1.3 billion dedicated to the tourism sector. Travelers on self-guided tours can receive accommodation subsidies of up to NT$1,000 per room, while travel agencies running group tours can receive subsidies of up to NT$20,000 for each group visiting Hualien and NT$15,000 for Taitung.

Starting from June 1, travelers can enjoy free rides on Taiwan Tourist Shuttle services in Hualien and Taitung, and an 80 percent discount on tours partnering with Taiwan Tour Bus in those areas. Additionally, to encourage foreign visitors to visit Hualien through chartered flights, flights with at least 50 passengers will be eligible for travel subsidies at three different amounts: NT$300,000, NT$350,000, and NT$400,000.

Earthquake Destroys Chemistry Department at National Dong Hwa University

The earthquake also destroyed the chemistry department at the National Dong Hwa University (NDHU), with hopes of rebuilding the department by September 2025. In the meantime, students are being transferred to other universities to complete their studies. The department suffered the loss of valuable instruments and significant research data, which will affect students and faculty members for a long time to come.

The scientific community has been called upon to extend cross-institutional collaborations to support those affected by the disaster and bolster resilience against future calamities. In a letter in Nature, researchers Fun Man Fung and Yi-Hsin Liu emphasized the need for the community to share knowledge and resources to help colleagues affected by such disasters.