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Magnitude 6.4 quake leaves at least 26 people dead and hundreds injured.
The Salvation Army is assisting people affected by the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the island of Taiwan in the early hours of Saturday, Feb. 6. The quake, with its epicenter close to the southern city of Tainan, caused several buildings to collapse and interrupted power and water supplies. Many Taiwanese people had traveled to the city prior to Monday’s Chinese New Year celebrations, swelling the numbers involved. The media reported 26 people dead and 500 hurt, with the number of deaths expected to rise.
A Salvation Army team from the Tainan Corps–which itself sustained structural damage during the tremors–attended an evacuation center housing 45 tenants of a collapsed four-story residential block. At the time, the center had sufficient supplies and warm blankets.
Salvation Army personnel did not sustain injuries.
The Salvation Army is also supporting efforts by churches and the Chinese Christian Evangelistic Association to provide grants to families affected by the disaster and to visit individuals who were hospitalized.
The regional commander for The Salvation Army in Taiwan, Lt. Colonel Jennifer Groves, requested that Salvationists and friends pray for those affected, the city of Tainan and the area as a whole.
“Many have been shaken emotionally by this earthquake,” Groves said. “Please join us in prayer for the people of Tainan, particularly those families who have suffered loss through the death of family members and/or the loss of their homes. We need God to be our courage, comfort, strength and hope at this time. Your prayers will be of great support to us.”
Salvation Army officers in Tainan will continue to be in dialogue with local groups in the coming days to assess what further Salvation Army response may be necessary.
Report by IHQ Communications
International Headquarters
