National Disaster Prevention Day Observed 花東震災重建 蔡總統:會與地方攜手努力

Sept. 21 was the 23rd anniversary of the 921 earthquake as well as National Disaster Prevention Day. Earthquake refuge, accommodation, and rescue drills took place in Hualien. Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei said she hopes the central government can assist the county in rebuilding after it suffered extensive damage during the earthquake on Sept. 18.

Teachers carry out their respective duties as soon as they feel the earthquake. Some establish refuge zones on open land while others direct students to these zones. This earthquake drill took place at National Hualien Special School on Sept. 21, which is National Disaster Prevention Day. A huge earthquake had struck the Hualien-Taitung region just several days earlier, so this drill was particularly significant.

Tsai Ing-wen, President: “Go, go, go! The possibility of compound disasters occurring is becoming higher and higher, especially because of extreme weather. We need to increase Taiwan's overall disaster resilience and we must create disaster prevention campuses.”

President Tsai Ing-wen inspected an earthquake accommodation drill at Hualien County Stadium, including the areas where victims will be accommodated and the sanitary facilities. She also led some drills.

At another drill, the military and National Airborne Service Corps ferried personnel and supplies. The five large telecoms and the military also showed off their communication capabilities during disasters. The National Fire Agency and numerous city and county governments sent search and rescue teams to participate in the drill. They practiced helping disaster victims and administering first aid. The issue of the central government helping Hualien and Taitung to rebuild after the devastating Sept. 18 earthquake was also talked about.

Hsu Chen-wei, Magistrate, Hualien County: “We hope the central government will attach importance to the damage that Hualien suffered and provide comprehensive assistance for Hualien's roads, bridges, buildings, and private property.”

Tsai Ing-wen, President: “The magistrate just provided information on the rebuilding and recovery that are needed. The central government will participate and work together with our local government.”

Civic groups including Tzu Chi Foundation also participated in the activity. They practiced accommodating and feeding disaster victims. Tsai's Hualien itinerary also included calling on Dharma Master Cheng Yen to thank Tzu Chi Foundation for its disaster relief work. The foundation recently revealed that the central government had put up obstacles while it was trying to procure COVID-19 vaccines for the Taiwanese people. Tsai said convention was followed and there was communication between the two sides, but she won't divulge what they talked about.

一感受到地震，學校老師們馬上分工，有的在校園空曠安全處設置避難區，有的引導學生避難。這是921國家防災日在花蓮特殊教育學校舉行的地震避難演練，尤其花東才剛發生大地震，參與演練的師生感受格外強烈。

總統蔡英文鼓勵：「加油，加油，加油。尤其在極端氣候之下，發生複合式的災害的可能性是越來越高 ，要提升台灣整體面對天災事變的韌性，我們一定要打造防災校園。」

蔡英文接著前往花蓮縣體育館觀看收容災民演練，特別關心休息空間與盥洗衛生環境，她也視導救災演練。包括國軍與空勤總隊負責人員運輸與物資運補，5大電信業者與軍方也展現災害時期資通訊能量，消防署與多個縣市也都派出搜救隊，除了救災，還能在現場急救醫療。當然花東地震後續如何重建，也是中央與地方共同課題 。

花蓮縣長徐榛蔚呼籲：「我們還是希望長官們能夠重視花蓮的災損，能夠對於花蓮各項道路、橋梁以及房舍，還有人民的財產，能夠給予全面的協助。」

總統蔡英文表示：「剛才縣長也有特別交代 ，對於我們這次的重建跟復原，我們中央政府會全部的投入，跟我們地方政府一起來努力。」

慈濟基金會等多個民間團體也參與活動，協助災民收容與提供餐點演練。總統21日花蓮行程也將拜訪證嚴法師，感謝慈濟協助救災。由於日前慈濟基金會透漏，採購新冠疫苗過程感受到政府阻擋，這場會面備受關注，不過總統府表示依循過去慣例及雙方的溝通，會談過程不公開。