921震災重建經驗專書(上)(英文版)

Recently, technology helping us to cope with natural disasters has been improved. Large
scale natural disasters are, however, still unavoidable. The growth in the world economy, the
increase in population in urban areas, together with the decrease of open spaces and resources,
has led to serious environmental damage which is immeasurable.
The tsunami that struck South-Eastern Asia in late December of 2004 claimed the lives of
more than 200,000 people from more than 10 countries along the Indian Ocean. The losses to
the country's economics are immeasurable. It can be classified as the worst natural disaster in
human history. The environmental damage caused by the tsunami will probably not be repaired
for at least 100 years. The annual loss worldwide due to natural disasters amounts to over400
billion dollars.
In retrospect, the most disastrous earthquake that struck Taiwan on September 21，1999
caused about 2,000 deaths, more than 100,000 houses collapsed, and it highlighted the problems
of over-developing and excessive land use in Taiwan. The road to reconstruction was rugged and
unprecedented, and it also highlighted the absence of a policy benefiting the public over the
years.
I remember the second week after I was sworn in on May 20, 2000, that was June 1, I went
to Jhongsing Village to preside over the ceremony of the establishment of 4tThe 921 Earthquake
Post-disaster Recover Commission，Executive Yuan.” To prioritize the task of reconstruction
has been one of my major policies ever since. The Reconstruction Committee has given fully
rein to the coordinating mechanism, bringing the governmental organizations, the volunteers,
and the residents in the earthquake-struck areas working together. The reconstruction work has
gradually progressed through these combined efforts. The differences are noticeable each time I
visit the reconstruction sites. We can feel the hope of a new born Taiwan as a result.