Taiwan: World Vision monitoring path of Typhoon Parma, launching preparations for possible relief response

Taipei, October 3, 2009—Even as Typhoon Parma brushes the Philippines, relief organization World Vision has already pre-positioned supplies and staff in rural areas of southern Taiwan, especially in places previously affected by Typhoon Morakot. In some villages, World Vision has prepared up to 2 weeks worth of supplies, such as clean water, food, and gas for electric generators.

“The children who have already survived Typhoon Morakot are growing in fear and anger as Typhoon Parma approaches,” says Torbors Chun, World Vision Typhoon Morakot Response Director. “Many children have already lost their homes and possessions in the last storm. It is becoming a very anxious situation for them. We must do whatever we can to safeguard the children.”

Prior to the Typhoon Morakot’s landfall on August 7 and 8, World Vision already had relief supplies pre-positioned in warehouses in remote areas and at regional offices throughout the south and east Taiwan. This enabled World Vision staff to rapidly start-up the emergency relief effort after the storm.

World Vision staff working in remote areas were also trained and pre-equipped with satellite phones and other wireless communication assets, which proved vital in guiding relief supplies and rescuers to mudslide survivors trapped in the mountains.

World Vision is currently building temporary shelters in Taitung County of eastern Taiwan for people who lost their homes in the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot.