TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — More than 500 residents from Guangfu Township gathered at the Hualien County Council on Thursday to press five demands on disaster recovery efforts, CNA reported.

Residents called for adequate rebuilding funds, a recovery committee with resident seats, and improved drainage work in the township. They also sought regular briefings on progress and on-site checks of each home’s rebuilding status.

Guangfu Township Representative Council Chair Liao Yi-chun (廖翊鈞) led residents from 14 villages to the county council in 13 buses. Protesters held banners and used a small excavator filled with sand to symbolically scoop soil, calling for the county government to rebuild the disaster-hit area.

Liao said local village chiefs and representatives organized the protest themselves, and the five demands reflect what residents have been asking for. She urged the council and county to fund rebuilding work, warning that a second protest will follow if officials ignore them.

A resident surnamed Chang (張) from Dama Village said rebuilding takes more than digging out homes buried by mud and noted that damaged furniture still needs to be hauled away. The resident called for more funding and manpower to support recovery efforts, as the local office told residents it lacks workers.

Hualien County said it would set up a rebuild committee under disaster law and bring in county, central, and township officials to work together. The county said it cannot redo the annual budget because of legal limits but noted that existing funds may still be used for rebuilding if they meet project rules.