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Methodists respond to those left homeless in Taiwan
By United Methodist News Service
October 6, 1999 
Methodists in Taiwan continue to respond to those left homeless by the earthquake that devastated the island nation on Sept. 21.
Representatives of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) met with church leaders there during an Oct. 1-6 assessment visit. Protestants compose about 3 percent of Taiwan's population, with the largest number being Presbyterian.
The Rev. Jonah Chang, a Taiwan native who made the trip with UMCOR Disaster Consultant Gordon Knuckey, reported that effects of the earthquake were very visible.
The temblor killed more than 2,000 and severely damaged or leveled 7,000 structures. Besides the fact that more than 100,000 families are estimated to be homeless, others were living in tents because they were afraid of being caught in a building during one of the multiple aftershocks.
"Tent cities dotted every park, school, city square, athletic field and open area in front of train stations throughout the disaster areas," said Chang, a retired clergy member of the California-Nevada Annual (regional) Conference.
Although the Methodist church in Taiwan suffered no losses, Bishop Philip Tseng reported that its relief efforts have included:
- offering 50 units of newly built housing in Kaohsiung City to earthquake victims;
- providing free living facilities and transportation for university students at the church's Gospel Camp Compound in Yangmin-Shan;
- covering all expenses for 50 students at Soochou University whose parents were earthquake victims;
- setting up long-term Methodist Relief Centers in Tshushan City, Nantun and Tali to provide supplies and staff for ministry to children and youth;
- providing grants to various agencies doing relief work; and
- allocating nearly $1.7 million over the next three years from the church budget for relief and reconstruction work.
Ecumenical and international relief efforts also are under way. Future needs were identified during an Oct. 4 meeting with Methodists, Presbyterians, UMCOR, Church World Service USA and others. Those needs include educating people who can train others for disaster response and preparedness; providing assistant pastors in disaster areas to reduce stress upon pastors; employing workers with children and youth in the tent cities; and providing temporary housing for church members and other earthquake victims.
UMCOR's board of directors is expected to consider specific financial requests relating to Taiwan earthquake relief and recovery during the Oct. 18-21 meeting of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.