TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan donated US$150,000 (NT$4.79 million) Thursday (Oct. 31) to help the Philippines recover from Typhoon Trami.

On Tuesday, Taiwan sent 500 tons of white rice, part of the 2,000 tons planned for 2024, per CNA. When Trami passed over the northern island of Luzon last week, 139 people died and 21 went missing, with losses estimated at NT$2.2 billion.

Taiwan envoy to Manila Wallace Chow (周民淦) presided over the ceremony donating a symbolic check to the Philippines representative in Taiwan, Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chair Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil. 

Chow expressed the hope that the victims of Typhoon Trami could soon resume a normal life, while also pointing out the importance of standing together in times of need now that Typhoon Kong-rey was threatening Taiwan.

Velicaria-Garafil said she was moved by how while facing a typhoon itself, Taiwan still did not forget the Philippines. MECO will hand over the funds to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to help the public rebuild their homes.