TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Seventeen people died and 17 remain missing after a barrier lake at Hualien's Matai'an Creek (馬太鞍溪) overflowed Tuesday (Sept. 23), severing a major bridge and prompting massive civil relief efforts. Multiple Christian organizations mobilized emergency supply networks across Taiwan to support flood-affected residents. The disaster struck when torrents flowed downstream from the overflowing barrier lake, devastating local infrastructure and communities.
The Mustard Seed Mission (基督教芥菜種會), a Christian relief organization, activated its "Three Blessings Assistance Network" (三福助人網) to distribute portable stoves, bottled water and blankets from supply centers across Taiwan. The Chinese Christian Relief Association (基督教救助協會) deployed its Hualien and Taitung offices to manage supplies at the county government's forward command post at Guangfu Sugar Factory (光復糖廠). Emergency service centers coordinated relief operations as demand for basic necessities surged.
World Vision Taiwan (台灣世界展望會) relocated 16 families comprising 37 people while searching for a missing child and relatives. The international humanitarian organization continues assessing family safety downstream from Matai'an Creek and helped establish a child-friendly space at Ta Chin Elementary School (大進國小). Officials coordinate ongoing material support as evacuation efforts expand throughout affected communities.
The Taiwan Fund for Children and Families (家扶基金會) announced on Facebook its collaboration with county officials to verify disaster impacts on families and streamline relief information. Civil organizations demonstrated community resilience through coordinated emergency response efforts across multiple affected areas. The collective mobilization highlights Taiwan's robust network of humanitarian groups responding to natural disasters.