TAIPEI - More than NT$300 million ($9.4 million) had been raised through a dedicated bank account set up by Taiwan's government as of Monday to help people affected by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture late last month, according to the island's Foreign Ministry.
The account, opened on Aug. 1, will continue to accept public donations through the end of the month to aid with reconstruction in affected areas and support the livelihoods of earthquake victims, the ministry said.
Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed gratitude to people across Taiwan for their donations, saying they demonstrated concern for the disaster-affected areas in Kumamoto and "once again highlighted the precious bonds of mutual support between Taiwan and Japan."
In addition to the fundraising campaign, the Foreign Ministry said the Taiwan government had donated NT$5 million earlier this month to support reconstruction efforts following the July 28 quake, which killed 38 people and caused widespread damage.
