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Rebuilding Hope: A New Chapter for Tainan’s Earthquake Survivors

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Rebuilding Hope: A New Chapter for Tainan’s Earthquake Survivors

On January 21st, just days before Lunar New Year, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck southern Taiwan, devastating areas like Nansi District, Tainan. Families preparing for celebration instead faced displacement and uncertainty. As of February 19th, 206 homes were deemed uninhabitable, 603 required urgent repairs, and 49 remained under evaluation in Nansi alone. For weeks, survivors sought refuge in emergency shelters, unsure of what came next.

From Crisis to Stability

In the aftermath, The Mustard Seed Mission (MSM) responded immediately, delivering food, hygiene kits, and emergency supplies to those who had lost their homes. Our social workers provided guidance and emotional support, ensuring that families had not only material aid but someone to lean on.

As Lunar New Year approached, MSM organized reunion dinners, giving survivors a moment of warmth and togetherness. Along with financial assistance and care packages, we ensured that even in crisis, they felt seen and supported.

But relief alone was not enough. Survivors needed a long-term solution.

A New Start: Moving into Mid-Term Housing

On February 20th, the first families moved into renovated dormitories provided by the Water Resources Agency. This was a critical step toward rebuilding their lives. These were not just temporary shelters, but where families could begin to heal and recover.

MSM worked urgently to make the dorms livable, installing water heaters, rewiring electricity overnight, and providing essential appliances such as induction cookers, rice cookers, and fire detectors. We also stocked the shelters with daily necessities like rice, noodles, bottled water, and hygiene products to ease their transition.

To ensure continued support, MSM also partnered with businesses to provide frozen meals, ensuring that residents had access to nutritious food while they settled in. More than just a roof, these dorms offered stability, security, and dignity.

Mr. Liu’s Journey to Stability

Among the survivors is Mr. Liu (62), whose home was yellow-tagged after the earthquake, making it unsafe for habitation. Living with a moderate disability, he faced additional challenges navigating displacement. But his biggest concern was his 90-year-old mother, whom he had been caring for before the disaster. With no safe place to take her, she had to stay with relatives while he searched for a solution.

Moving into mid-term housing finally provided the security he had been waiting for. With MSM’s support, he was able to create a stable living space, allowing him to reunite with his mother. After weeks of uncertainty, he could finally begin to rebuild.

Beyond Shelter: The Road to Recovery

As MSM CEO Jeffrey Li explained:
"Now that they have moved here, it doesn’t mean our job is done. This is just the fourth stage of disaster management—recovery. We will continue working alongside the government to help them get back on their feet."

The transition to mid-term housing is only the beginning. Many survivors still face financial hardship, emotional distress, and the daunting task of rebuilding their homes. In the months ahead, MSM will continue to provide essential household items, mental health support, and stress-relief activities to aid in emotional healing.

Beyond immediate relief, we are helping families regain financial independence by supporting job placement and local product marketing. Additionally, disaster preparedness training will empower communities to be more resilient against future crises.

Let’s Rebuild Hope

The journey to recovery is long, but no one should face it alone. Your generosity can provide essential household items, food, and emotional care to those rebuilding their lives.

Together, we can turn survival into stability and despair into hope.

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