Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je says that Taiwan’s capital city will activate its emergency fund to help the Polish city of Warsaw to accommodate refugees from Ukraine. Ko also announced he will personally donate NT$100,000 (US$3,500) to humanitarian aid.
Warsaw, which is Poland’s capital city and a sister city of Taipei, has already taken in thousands of Ukrainians fleeing from the Russian invasion. According to Ko, Warsaw authorities are asking Taipei for assistance in a number of areas.
Ko says Warsaw is a member of the “free cities” pact, which also includes Bratislava, Budapest, and Prague, but funds raised through that channel will take time to reach people in need. That is why Taipei will activate its emergency fund and extend humanitarian aid to Warsaw. The exact amount of this aid has not yet been decided.
New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi says his city is also ready to help via relevant international channels, either monetarily or through material donations.