Salvation Army officers and personnel from Taiwan are responding to Typhoon Morakot, which brought devastation to much of the country. Taiwan experienced its worst flooding in decades after the typhoon washed out roads, snapped bridges and sent dwellings crashing into rivers. Current estimates indicate that more than 500 people lost their lives.

Salvationist personnel provided help to people who lost their homes and supported the military as it put into action a major rescue operation. The Salvation Army's Regional Commander for Taiwan, Major Mike Coleman, reports that members of Puli Corps delivered two loads of household goods and other items to aboriginal villages affected by the landslide in the Nantou County area. He adds: 'In Tainan County ... there is still no running water and people are in desperate need of disinfectant to prevent the spread of disease.'

The situation is changing rapidly but The Salvation Army continues to be flexible in its role as part of the major response. Salvation Army officers have assessed the situation and met with local leaders, communities and officials to ensure the most urgent needs are being met. Further meetings with the Deputy Mayor of Kaoshiung County will guide how The Salvation Army's role will be expanded.

The present plan is to focus mainly on the following areas:

* Immediate provision of sleeping bags to the growing number of refugees now in emergency accommodation shelters
* Immediate provision and distribution of disinfectant, water and other cleaning materials and equipment to affected villages in Tainan County
* Provision of transport for people and household goods back to their villages when the crisis is over
* Provision (building) of medium-term shelter/housing and community buildings.