2023/08/08
The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release explaining reports that the "efforts to fulfill the request to dispatch 300 military servicemen for disaster relief were aborted" (August 8, 2023)
Press release of the Ministry of National Defense
Time: August 8, 2023 at 23:50
In response to media reports that "efforts [of the Nantou County government] to fulfill a request to dispatch 300 military servicemen for disaster relief were aborted", the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has elaborated as follows:
1. It has always been the unshirkable duty of the Armed Forces to assist in the implementation of disaster prevention and rescue tasks. According to the Disaster Prevention Law and Disaster Prevention and Rescue Support Measures by the Armed Forces, the MND has sent out intelligence and liaison officers to all districts (townships, towns, cities) since August 5 to conduct disaster reports and maintain close contact with county and city governments. If a local government needs disaster relief troops, they can directly apply to the combat zone so that troops can be appropriately dispatched for support.
2. When Nantou County was hit by a typhoon, the Armed Forces continuously sent out disaster relief forces in response to the local government. On August 8 alone, 198 servicemen of command, special operations, and logistics support were dispatched, while various vehicles and machinery were allocated to actively to help with material transportation and personnel evacuation tasks. The 5th combat zone is also coordinating and providing full support to quickly assist people in restoring normal life as follow-up measures.