Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) wreaked havoc in central and southern parts of the Philippines in December 2021, leaving the affected regions in great need of assistance.

On 26 January 2022, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Tien Chung-kwang presided over the Love from Taiwan ceremony to hand over one hundred metric tons of relief items urgently required to the Philippines on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). H.E.  Wilfredo B. Fernandez, Chairman and Resident Representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) on behalf of the government of the Philippines accepted the donation in Taipei City. The said relief goods donated by Taiwan government arrived at the Port of Cebu on 8 February 2022.

After receiving the list of materials needed in the affected areas by Typhoon Odette provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Council of Agriculture under the Executive Yuan to raise relief goods including rice, food rations, building materials, hand tools, and bottled water. The shipment also includes emergency shelter materials, such as corrugated sheets, plywood, tarpaulin, tie wires, nails, and carpentry tools (including hammers and saws).

On 11 February 2022, MECO handed over the relief goods to Nature Kids for Siargao Association, Inc. (NKSA), a non-governmental organization focusing on community development. The turnover ceremony was witnessed by Representative Peiyung Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, Mr. Francisco T. Matugas II, Congressman of Surigao del Norte, and Philippine officials. Most of the foregoing supplies will be transported to Siargao Island for the disaster victims which suffered the most due to Odette. Moreover, 6 containers of plywood were donated to the Province of Cebu, Bohol Island and Negros Island.

Hon. Gwendolyn Fiel Garcia, Governor of Cebu, met with Representative Hsu in the afternoon on February 9 and thanked Taiwan for donating 2 containers of plywood to the Province of Cebu, which will help rebuild homes of those affected.

Mr. Michael Cancio, head of the NKSA, expressed deep gratitude for Taiwan’s generosity and love on behalf of residents of Siargao Island and Cebu as it is the largest ever donation. He assured that the NKSA will well coordinate with the local governments to deliver the reliefs goods to the affected people who are in dire need of help.

Immediately after Typhoon Odette hit the Philippines last December, humanitarian aid from Taiwan has been given to the Philippines. Taiwan’s donations include USD 500,000 of disaster relief fund from the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the airlift of 10 metric tons of relief goods arriving on 25 and 26 December 2021, and cash donation of 6.7 million pesos from the Taiwan Association Inc. Philippines (TAP), the Love From Koten Foundation, and the Taiwanese Compatriot Association in the Philippines (TCAIP).

Taiwan’s contribution to post-typhoon recovery and rehabilitation efforts embodies the spirit of “Taiwan can help and Taiwan is helping,” and Bayanihan spirit between Taiwan and the Philippines. Taiwan sincerely hopes its relief assistance could help the affected families rebuild their homes and return to normal lives.