A new exhibit showcasing Taiwan’s humanitarian aid to Nepal kicked off on Monday. The five-day event is sponsored by the foreign ministry’s Institute of Diplomatic and International Affairs.
The Taiwan AID exhibit features photographs, videos, and maps detailing Taiwan’s humanitarian efforts following a devastating earthquake in the Himalayas in 2015. Taiwanese citizens donated funds to build a community learning center, and local residents made environmentally friendly bricks to build a guest house.
Vice President William Lai spoke on Monday at the opening of the exhibit, saying that “only a country that cares can win the respect of the world.” He said that Taiwan has the ability to help the international community. As long as the international community allows Taiwan to participate, he said, then Taiwan’s contributions will continue to grow.
Taiwan donated some US$3.5 million to Nepal following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015. The foreign ministry worked with NGOs to set up ten reconstruction projects throughout Nepal. The programs cover everything from medical needs to community development, benefiting about 40,000 people every year.