A total of NT$740 million (US$26.08 million) has been raised in Taiwan in the 18 days since a Taiwan government designated account and crowd source funding platform were established to raise money to help Ukrainian refugees forced to flee their country by the Russian invasion.
As of 8 a.m. Saturday, the account had received NT$585.84 million, while donations from an online payment platform had reached NT$154.55 million, according to the Relieve Disaster Foundation (?????????), commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to take charge of the donation drive.
In its mission statement, the foundation said that the purpose of the drive is to aid Ukrainian refugees in the name of humanitarianism.
According to the foundation, the donation drive is under the direction of the Central Bank, Financial Supervisory Commission, and Ministry of Finance. In addition, all cross-account handling fees will be exempted when making payments to the donation drive from March 2 to April 1.
Any handling fees deducted during the period will be returned to the account of the donor, the foundation said.
The foundation called on people to continue donating to the Land Bank of Taiwan (code 005) account established under its name, with the number 102-005-124-619, via automated teller machines or bank transfers.
Donations can be made to the crowd source funding platform at https://wabay.tw/projects/twuk, the foundation added.
The drive is scheduled to end on April 1, with donations made through the crowd source funding platform to end at 12 p.m. on that date. However, donations made via convenience stores and virtual ATMs will close on March 27 at 11:59 p.m., the foundation said.
Speaking with CNA, a foundation official explained that the donations will be used to provide Ukrainian refuges with medical aid and resettlement, as well as supporting those in need with basic daily necessities.
Many refugees have fled to neighboring countries such as Poland and Slovakia, the foundation added. As such, a goal of NT$1 billion was approved by the foundation’s board of directors as the drive’s targeted pledge to help alleviate the financial burden on those host countries.
The official also added that the foundation will adhere to MOFA’s plans to aid Ukraine, and announced that an initial NT$450 million has already been wired to agencies in countries directly assisting Ukrainian refugees.
In accordance with the “Charity Donations Destined For Social Welfare Funds Implementation Regulations,” the foundation will publish regular financial reports, the official said.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel