TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Volunteers from across Taiwan are traveling to Hualien’s Guangfu Township to support recovery efforts after the overflow of Mataian barrier lake triggered severe floods and mudslides.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, authorities reported 15 deaths, 69 injuries, and eight people missing. Homes and farmland remain buried under mud and debris, leaving local communities facing major disruption, according to Commonwealth Magazine.
Military personnel and civilian volunteers have mobilized, with trains carrying carriages full of people equipped with boots, buckets, and shovels, according to UDN. Groups such as Forward Alliance, the Chinese Christian Relief Association, Dharma Drum Mountain, and the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation provide registration forms for those wishing to participate in recovery efforts.
For those wanting to volunteer, sports commentator Shih Ming-chin (石明謹) and Business Weekly have arranged key reminders covering transportation, equipment, lodging, and supplies:
Transportation
Damage to local infrastructure has made road travel difficult. The Mataian Bridge on Provincial Highway 9 is unusable.
Traffic has been diverted to County Route 193, now reserved for rescue vehicles, or Provincial Highway 11. The trip from Hualien City to Guangfu currently takes about two hours.
Authorities are urging volunteers to travel by train. Taiwan Railways has opened standing tickets on Tze-Chiang Limited Express trains between Hualien and Guangfu and will add 10 extra services from Saturday through Monday.
Gear and safety precautions
Recommended equipment includes:
- Protective gear: tall rain boots, cut-resistant gloves, goggles
- Weather protection: raincoat, hat, sunscreen
- Food and drink: bottled water, dry food, reusable utensils
- Tools: shovels, buckets, spades
- Personal items: clothing, towels, mosquito repellent, medicine, power banks, slippers, masks, sanitizing wipes
Those already working in the area advise wearing thick socks and insoles in boots to reduce discomfort, and old clothing that can be discarded afterward. Staying hydrated is essential, as the mud is contaminated and contains sharp debris and broken glass that may cause injury or infection.
Registration and lodging
A volunteer command center has been set up at Guangfu Train Station for on-site registration and task assignment. Tools can be borrowed if needed.
Volunteers are strongly advised not to occupy shelters intended for displaced residents. Some guesthouses and community organizations are providing floor lodging, and Fataan tribal youth have compiled a list of available accommodations.
If accommodations cannot be secured, volunteers should stay in Hualien City.
Supplies and donations
While food and bottled water are in good supply, cleaning tools such as shovels, hoses, mops, dustpans, and disinfectants are needed. Hualien County will issue regular updates on supply shortages.
Authorities urge donors to check official lists before sending goods to avoid storage bottlenecks. Cash donations remain the most effective form of support.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare launched a fundraising campaign Thursday with a target of NT$500 million (US$16.4 million) over one month. Contributions can be made via bank transfer, Line Pay, convenience stores, or foreign currency transfer.
Cabinet spokesperson Lee Hui-chih (李慧芝) said Friday that donations surpassed NT$100 million (US$3.28 million) within one day. Nearly half of all donations came through Line Pay, mostly in small amounts, according to CNA.
- Line Pay: Donations can be made by entering the Line Pay homepage, selecting the charity donation platform, and clicking on the Mataian disaster project
- Convenience stores: Donations are accepted through kiosks at all four major chains, including 7-Eleven's ibon, FamilyMart's FamiPort, Hi-Life's Life-Et, and OKmart's OK go by selecting the Mataian disaster project
Key reminders
- Avoid driving personal vehicles into Guangfu to reduce congestion
- Secure accommodation before departure
- Bring complete personal gear to remain self-sufficient
- Coordinate with established organizations and follow on-site instructions
