Undergrounding of electrical wires and reconstruction of Kaiyuan Harbor (開元港) are to be prioritized for Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼), the Executive Yuan said on Wednesday, as the Taitung County Government solicited donations for disaster relief following Typhoon Koinu.
Orchid Island, which is often hit hard by tropical cyclones, saw widespread damage from record-breaking winds and extreme conditions brought by Typhoon Koinu last week, Cabinet spokesman Lin Tze-luen (林子倫) said.
To protect Tao culture and the rights of island residents, Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) believes it is necessary to strengthen its disaster resilience as soon as possible, Lin said.
Photo courtesy of Taiwan Power Co via CNA
Specialists have already been instructed to study the undergrounding of electrical wires on the island, as well as expedite reconstruction of Kaiyuan Harbor, he added.
Meanwhile, the Taitung County Government, which has jurisdiction over Orchid Island, on Wednesday announced a dedicated account for receiving disaster relief donations from the public.
Typhoon Koinu caused an estimated NT$300 million (US$9.35 million) in damage to Orchid Island, the county government said, adding that it has already used its disaster reserve funds and requested more from the central government, but more is needed.
Donations may be sent to the Taitung branch of the Bank of Taiwan (004) at account number 023-038-295107 with the note “Typhoon Koinu disaster relief fund” (小犬颱風災害救助專款), it said.
For more information, contact the social welfare division of the Taitung County Social Affairs Department.
Additional reporting by CNA
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