TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chiayi County’s Minsyong Township will distribute NT$2,000 (US$62) in March next year to help residents recover from damage caused by Typhoon Danas and heavy rain on July 28.

Commercial Times reported Monday that the township’s representative council pushed the township office to roll out assistance after Typhoon Danas hit the area. The Minsyong Township Office reviewed its budget and said it could cover the cost without cutting next year’s projects.

The township has close to 70,000 residents, and the office expects the relief plan to cost about NT$140 million. Minsyong Township Mayor Lin Yu-ling (林于玲) said she hopes the cash will help families as the Lunar New Year approaches.

Lin added that the township has no debt, allowing the office to set aside the funds without affecting other programs. She said the township will distribute the cash in the same manner used for the Double Ninth Festival allowance.

Township Council Chair Tu Wen-sheng (涂文生) said members backed the plan because it provides timely support for residents recovering from typhoon losses. Tu said he has urged the office to complete all payments by March.

According to CNA, the proposal was approved last Thursday, and the relief funds are intended to help residents get daily life back on track. The township office said it would pay the NT$2,000 by late March and confirmed the NT$140 million budget set aside for the program.