Kumamoto Earthquake: MOFA Launches Relief Fundraising Campaign! Donation Details Here – Lai Qingde, Hsiao Bi-khim, and Cho Jung-tai Each Donate NT$200,000

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto City in Kyushu, Japan, resulting in 34 fatalities, numerous road collapses, building collapses, and injuries. On the evening of the 30th, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced the launch of a fundraising campaign to assist Japan's disaster relief efforts. The dedicated donation account has been established by the TaiwanICDF (International Cooperation and Development Foundation), the designated fundraising agency, and will accept public donations from August 1 to August 31, 2026. President Lai Qingde, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, and Premier Cho Jung-tai have all announced personal donations of NT$200,000 each.

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Kumamoto in the afternoon of the 28th, causing widespread building collapses, road damage, power and water outages in some areas, and forcing nearly 10,000 residents to evacuate to shelters. Search and rescue operations and post-disaster recovery efforts continue across the affected regions. In addition to immediate expressions of condolence and offers of assistance from Taiwan's head of state, MOFA, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, convenience stores and electronic payment platforms in Taiwan have also initiated fundraising campaigns. In Kaohsiung City, which has a sister-city relationship with Kumamoto, Mayor Chen Chi-mai and several legislators from the Democratic Progressive Party's Kaohsiung district, among other political figures from across the political spectrum, have announced donations.

Kazuyuki Katayama, Representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in Taipei, expressed heartfelt gratitude via the organization's official social media account for the condolences sent by President Lai Qingde and many others in Taiwan following the 'Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake,' which has confirmed extensive damage. Japan is fully committed to emergency response efforts, working to quickly assess the overall situation and immediately launch search and rescue operations for affected residents once damage assessments are complete.

Later, Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui stated that President Lai Qingde, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, and Premier Cho Jung-tai are closely monitoring the disaster situation in Kumamoto and will each donate NT$200,000 in personal capacity. Kuo emphasized that Taiwan and Japan have long supported each other through difficult times, and the government will continue to monitor the situation and provide necessary assistance. She called on all sectors of society to extend warmth and support to the disaster-stricken areas, praying for the swift recovery of the injured and the safety of affected residents, and for Kumamoto to return to normal life as soon as possible.

MOFA issued a press release on the evening of the 30th, officially launching the fundraising campaign through the TaiwanICDF, which will manage public donations from August 1 to August 31, 2026. The campaign reflects Taiwan's humanitarian spirit in response to the Kumamoto earthquake. The government will mobilize civil society to raise funds, which will be transferred through Japanese channels to support relief and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas. With the deep and close friendship between Taiwan and Japan, the goal is to assist affected residents in rebuilding their homes and restoring normal life as quickly as possible.

MOFA Relief Donation Account Information: (1) Project Name: 0728 Japan Kumamoto Earthquake Relief Project (2) Account Name: International Cooperation and Development Foundation – Special Account for Major International Disaster Relief (3) Bank Account: Mega International Commercial Bank, Tianmu Branch; Account Number: 021-09-01-7741 (4) Inquiry Hotline: 1988 (available starting August 1)

For more information, please visit the official website of the 'International Cooperation and Development Foundation.'

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