October 13, 1999
Baptists offering aid in Taiwan
___By Erich Bridges
___International Mission Board
___TAIPEI, Taiwan (BP)--Baptists and other Christian groups began ministering to survivors almost immediately after Taiwan's worst earthquake in generations rocked the island Sept. 21.
___The quake, which measured between 7.6 and 7.9 on the Richter scale, killed more than 1,800 people, with the toll expected to rise and more than 3,000 people still missing or trapped in collapsed buildings. It injured thousands and left an estimated 100,000 people homeless.
___Central Taiwan sustained heavy damage to buildings, roads and other infrastructure, especially in the city of Taichung and in Nantou County--location of the quake's epicenter about 90 miles south of Taipei, which also sustained damage.
___Aid efforts by a Christian group called "Guardian Angel," coordinated by Taipei Baptist pastor Yen Tsu Min, geared up in the hours after the quake, setting up a relief center near the site of a 12-story building that collapsed in Taipei.
___"Their main focus has been to provide comfort and support to families of victims, have pure water on site for families and relief workers and visit the hospitals where victims were taken," reported Southern Baptist missionary Hal Cunnyngham, crisis manager for International Mission Board personnel in Taiwan.
___"At the hospitals, they are ministering to families, taking them food, clothing and water, and providing a Christian presence. Twenty-five local Baptist seminary students are assisting with the hospital visits to minister to victims and their families."
___Missionary nurse Mary Dickey also went to the site of the hotel collapse in Taipei and began providing aid and comfort to people still trapped in the rubble. More than 36 hours after the quake, rescue workers were still trying frantically to get trapped survivors out of the building.
___The IMB mission organization in Taiwan donated cash to help the Guardian Angels group buy relief supplies and may request additional Southern Baptist aid funds for other efforts.
___Other mission funds went to the Chinese Christian Relief Association of Taiwan, which is working to coordinate Christian relief efforts in the hardest-hit areas of Nantou County. Needs include food, blankets, tents and basic medical supplies.
___Contributions designated for Taiwan relief efforts may be sent to Southern Baptist Hunger and Relief, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, Va. 23230.
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