TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has set up three donation channels to support rescue and recovery efforts after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday (April 3).
Both domestic and overseas donations will be collected for one month until May 3, according to the Taiwan Foundation for Disaster Relief. After the accounts opened on Thursday (April 4), over NT$33 million (US$1 million) was raised within the first 24 hours.
The funds will be used for search and rescue efforts, medical treatment, shelter and resettlement, and recovery and reconstruction projects, according to the foundation.
The public can make donations through the following three channels:
1. Money transfer
Domestic:
Account Name: Taiwan Foundation for Disaster Relief (財團法人賑災基金會)
Bank Name: Land Bank Changchun Branch (005) (土地銀行長春分行) (005)
Bank Account Number: 102-005-19895-7
Overseas:
SWIFT Code: LBOTTWTP102
Name: Taiwan Foundation for Disaster Relief
Bank Name: Land Bank of Taiwan Changchun Branch
Address: 156 Changchun Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City 104, Taiwan
Money transfers can be made until the account is closed on May 3.
2. Online platform
The online platform Wabay can be accessed until April 30. There is no handling fee.
If the payment is made at a convenience store, an NT$30 fee will be charged.
3. LINE Pay
On the homepage, select the "Donation" platform, then click "0403 Hualien Earthquake Fundraising Project” (0403 花蓮震災募款專案) to donate to the campaign until May 2.
The Ministry of Finance has agreed to waive interbank transaction fees. CTBC Bank, Taipei Fubon Bank, Taishin Bank, and Union Bank of Taiwan will also not charge fees for Line Pay donations.
The majority of donations on the first day were through Line Pay at NT$21 million, while NT$4.89 million was collected through WaBay, and NT$6.45 million was made through money transfers.
Wednesday’s quake was the largest Taiwan has seen in 25 years. The death toll has risen to 12, with 1,106 people reported injured, 671 trapped, and 18 missing.
