TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday that Taiwan is donating NT$16.46 million (US$500,000) to assist Southern California's wildfire relief efforts.

MOFA said the donation will be directed to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, as recommended by the Los Angeles City Government. The funds will be used to procure firefighting equipment urgently needed for disaster relief.

Following the outbreak of the wildfires, Taiwan's representative office in Los Angeles conveyed condolences to the local government on behalf of the Taiwan government, according to MOFA. The office also coordinated with the local Taiwanese community, as well as charitable organizations such as the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation and Fo Guang Shan, to assist in relief efforts.

The ministry sent tens of thousands of N95 masks to rescue workers, evacuees, and educational institutions. Numerous Taiwanese community groups have initiated fundraising campaigns, collected supplies, and offered free accommodations to those affected.

For 41 years, Taiwan and California have been sister states, and Southern California is home to the largest Taiwanese community in the US, said MOFA. The devastation has prompted Taiwan to uphold the humanitarian spirit of "Taiwan Can Help, and Taiwan Is Helping."  

Wildfires in the mountainous regions of Southern California have resulted in at least 25 deaths and the destruction of over 12,300 structures. The fires remain intense, forcing the evacuation of nearly 90,000 people and inflicting an estimated US$150 billion in losses.