Taiwanese Americans Are Raising Funds For Quake Victims: Here's How You Can Help

Relief flooded through Chun Yen Chen when she saw that the damage from Wednesday's 7.4-magnitude earthquake was relatively minimal compared to the last major quake that killed thousands a quarter century ago.

Still, the injured number in the thousands and 18 people are still missing. The tourist city of Hualien on Taiwan's east coast near the quake's epicenter will suffer as it grapples from rockfalls and landslides that will keep visitors away.

It was time to get relief to Taiwan. Chen, a veteran fundraiser, got to work. The Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater Los Angeles, where she is vice president, is leading one of the largest fundraising efforts in the region. Ten Taiwanese American organizations are working together to collect relief funds.

"I think it’s the same thing for all the immigrant community right?" said Chen, who moved to the U.S. more than 30 years ago. "You always have someone you love still there or even if they pass away, you'll remember this is where are you from."

The groups are urging people to send money to the Taiwan Center Foundation, which will transfer the funds to the Taiwanese government’s ministry of Health and Welfare. The agency is coordinating relief efforts in Taiwan, which include helping the families of victims. At least 10 people have died.

Lynn Wen is president of the L.A. chapter of the Taiwanese American Citizens League. She said the Taiwanese diaspora is used to mobilizing in times of disaster, like during the 1999 quake that killed more than 2,400 people.

After the ‘99 quake, Taiwan updated its building codes and improved its emergency response training.

"I think the rescue team responds real quickly," said Wen, who follows Taiwanese news closely on satellite TV. "I'm very proud of them."

Wen immigrated with her family to the U.S. in junior high, but said she is still deeply connected to Taiwan, and she feels an urge to protect it.

"Taiwan is our motherland but it does not get respect and be treated like a country," said Wen, referring to China's claim over Taiwan despite it being a self-ruled democracy. "That's why our heart is all to them, even when though we've here for so long."

Other groups participating in the fundraising effort include the Southern California Taiwanese Hakka Association and the Taiwanese Americans Seniors Association of Southern California.

The groups are collecting money until April 25 — the Taiwanese government is accepting funds until May 3. The Taiwan Center Foundation will then wire the money to Taiwan, saving donors wire transfer fees.