Taiwan donates over $400,000 to relief efforts

The Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan has donated over XCD$400,000 for disaster relief in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), following the recent passage of trough systems here.

Ambassador of Taiwan to SVG Baushuan Ger handed over a cheque for US$150,000 (equivalent to XCD $403,230) to Prime Minister Dr Ralph E Gonsalves and expressed on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan),{{more}} his country’s solidarity with SVG at this challenging time. He conveyed the heartfelt sympathies of President Tsai Ing-wen to those who suffered in the floods and prayed for a swift process of rehabilitation and recovery in SVG.

In addition to the grant provided by the ROC government, the SimplyHelp Foundation, a non-profit humanitarian organization founded by Taiwanese diaspora in Los Angeles, USA, has decided to donate a 20-foot container of disaster relief goods to St Vincent and the Grenadines upon the request of the embassy. The contents of the container, in total value of about US$100,000, will include clothes, shoes and household items. The container is scheduled to arrive in January 2017.

Prime Minister Gonsalves acknowledged the goodwill of the government and people of Taiwan and expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided both in kind and cash.

The grant will be used on immediate humanitarian efforts, while the relief goods being shipped here will be distributed through a coordinated social network.

In 2016, St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Republic of China (Taiwan) celebrated 35 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations.