President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday visited a disaster preparedness center that demonstrated public-private resource integration. The center, a collaboration between New Taipei City and the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, serves as a training base during normal times and a coordination hub for shelter and volunteer deployment during disasters.
In his speech, President Lai highlighted Taiwan’s vulnerability to natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons, emphasizing the need for robust preparedness. He established the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee to foster collaboration between central and local governments, civil organizations, and communities in developing effective strategies in response to disasters.
Lai highlighted New Taipei City’s proactive disaster initiatives, including establishing centers in each district and for its training of disaster prevention personnel. He thanked New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) and his team for their dedication, adding that New Taipei City has outpaced other cities and counties in the number of trained personnel. Lai also thanked Tzu Chi Foundation’s CEO Po-wen Yen (顏博文) and acknowledged Tzu Chi’s contributions. He commended the center’s inclusive disaster preparedness approach, which offers Chinese and Western medicine, considers all demographics – even pets, and provides for food, clothing, housing, and transportation needs.
Lai’s visit was in part to prepare for a whole-of-society committee meeting set for Thursday which aims to strengthen Taiwan’s overall disaster resilience.