TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Tigerair Taiwan transported six boxes of disaster relief goods, mostly winter blankets, to Japan on Friday (Jan. 5) following the devasting earthquake that claimed over 100 hundred lives.
Chairman Kevin Chen expressed his belief that the airline's extensive network and frequent flights could lend significant support to disaster areas.
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has also established a dedicated disaster relief account to receive donations. The donation methods include four major convenience store chains and four domestic and foreign accounts, with the campaign running from Jan. 5 to 19.
Meanwhile, the Taiwan Development Association for Disaster Medical Teams is the first non-governmental organization from Taiwan to enter the hard-hit Suzu City in Japan to provide medical relief.
The organization had already dispatched a 16-member team to Suzu City for training at the end of December, performing rescue drills via helicopter transport. After gaining the authorities' permission, the organization dispatched a four-person team to provide support and will boost personnel if necessary.
Despite the Japanese government's polite refusal of official aid from several countries, relief efforts from Taiwanese civil groups continue.
The actions demonstrate Taiwan's ongoing commitment to assisting international neighbors in times of crisis, even as it juggles its domestic issues during a challenging winter.