MIGRANTE International
April 5, 2024
In the evening hours of April 3, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan. With its epicenter off the eastern coast of the island, the quake was the strongest that Taiwan has experienced in decades. News outlets reported more than 9 deaths, 1,000+ injuries, and more than 100 damaged buildings as of writing. As the picture of damage and destruction in Taiwan comes clearer, Migrante International sympathizes with the people in Taiwan in its arduous path to recovery.
Migrante is also concerned with the estimated 1,500 Filipinos living and working in Hualien County who were affected by the quake. Local members of Migrante Taiwan earlier reported panic from the strong presence of the earthquake and its aftershocks. Some of their windows and belongings were shattered. At least three Filipinos were reportedly injured. More are likely to be at risk from the quake and its damages.
As more information on the conditions of Filipino migrants in Taiwan are verified, the Philippine government and its Department of Migrant Workers must be ready to help our migrant workers. While the DMW’s Taiwan Help Desk and hotline are already established, it should be maintained and accessible while preparing to provide food, water, health supplies, medical assistance, and temporary shelter to all OFWs affected and in need. Particular attention and assistance should be given to the affected OFWs in Hualien County, the eastern province closest to the epicenter. The government should also provide immediate financial assistance to OFWs whose livelihoods will be impacted by the quake and its economic consequences.
If the Philippine government has learned the right lessons from its past poor responses to the calamities in our own country, then it should be ready to take all the necessary steps to minimize the threats of natural disasters to the lives and livelihoods of Filipinos at home and abroad.###
