Source: Republic of China Taiwan
In response to the challenges posed by extreme weather and to enhance disaster response capabilities, today (May 19), Taipower joined hands with Taiwan’s largest private charity organization-Tzu Chi Foundation-to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Taipower and Tzu Chi share a goal of disaster response, and both sides maintain service facilities throughout Taiwan. Through reciprocal facility support, Taipower can temporarily place emergency repair materials in Jing Si Halls, which will accelerate repairs and power restoration after disasters. Tzu Chi can also use Taipower facilities as staging sites to aid disaster-stricken areas. Through mutual assistance, both sides will join hands in an effort to help disaster victims resume their normal lives as quickly as possible.
On May 19, Taipower joined hands with the Tzu Chi Foundation to sign an MOU on Disaster Prevention and Emergency Resources Integration. The agreement was signed by Taipower Chairman Tseng Wen-Sheng and Tzu Chi CEO Yen Po-Wen. It focuses on developing four collaborative facets: the establishment of electricity emergency repair relay stations, philanthropic care for disadvantaged groups, environmental sustainability education, and volunteer service exchange.
A Taipower representative explained that the highlight of this collaboration is mutual facility support, which will build a faster disaster response network. During disasters, Tzu Chi will open designated Jing Si Halls throughout Taiwan to serve as temporary relay stations where Taipower can store utility poles, power lines, and other materials necessary for emergency repairs, enhancing the overall speed of post-disaster electricity restoration. Taipower, in turn, will allow regional business offices and service centers throughout Taiwan to serve as Tzu Chi disaster relief stations, enabling volunteers to immediately enter disaster areas and provide assistance.
A Taipower representative expressed that when natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes cause power outages, Taipower’s emergency repair personnel must often overcome severe weather and rugged terrain as they rush to the affected site, restoring power to affected communities. Tzu Chi volunteers are also among the first to enter disaster areas to bring people material goods and compassionate support. This collaboration will combine Taipower’s goal of a resilient power supply with Tzu Chi’s humanistic care, integrating both sides’ disaster relief capabilities to jointly protect the people of Taiwan.
Tzu Chi Foundation CEO Yen Po-Wen expressed that Taipower personnel who brave the elements and rush to disaster sites to restore the power are unsung heroes who keep society functioning. Meanwhile, Tzu Chi volunteers adhere to the spirit of “first to arrive and last to leave” to provide disaster victims with material and spiritual comfort. Through this collaboration, both sides will establish standardized operational procedures and safety management mechanisms to ensure that during a state of emergency, emergency power restoration and philanthropic aid can be executed side by side, substantially boosting society’s disaster resilience.
A Taipower representative pointed out that aside from strengthening disaster response capabilities, both sides also will deepen cooperation through multiple public welfare initiatives, integrating Taipower’s electricity expertise and Tzu Chi’s social services capabilities to promote cooperation in care for vulnerable groups and emergency aid. Additionally, they intend to jointly promote energy conservation, carbon reduction, and environmental sustainability education; raise public awareness of disaster preparedness and sustainable practices through educational outreach; and expand volunteer exchange programs to further strengthen their public service capacity.
Spokesperson: Chief Administrator Huang Mei-Lien
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0922-696-383
E-mail: u030573@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Department of Power Distribution Director Jao Yu-Chen
Phone: (02) 2366-8669; 0939-890-208
E-mail: u149005@taipower.com.tw