2025/09/29
Ministry of National Defense: Minister Koo Li-Hsiung Chaired the Disaster Response Center Control Meeting on September 29
Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: 1400 hours, September 29, 2025
The Ministry of National Defense stated that the Disaster Response Center convened the control meeting for the “Mataian Barrier Lake Disaster Relief Project” this morning (September 29), chaired by Minister Koo Li-hsiung. During the meeting, Minister Koo received briefings from the Theater of Operations and relevant units to understand the disaster relief mission planning, and reminded all levels of commanders to care for the physical and mental conditions of the troops while actively engaging in disaster relief, in order to assist affected citizens to resume normal life at the earliest possible time.
In the meeting, Minister Koo first commended the Armed Forces’ performance in supporting disaster relief, and stated that under the guidance of President Lai and Premier Cho, the goal is to enable the affected citizens to return to normal life before the Mid-Autumn Festival, with full commitment to this objective. The Second Theater of Operations has already planned each stage of the execution, and is advancing according to the scheduled timeline, with the possibility of accelerating implementation when conditions permit.
Minister Koo pointed out that in the coming days, cross-regional reinforcement units will be dispatched to the disaster area for force rotation, and reminded units of to carefully address the needs regarding disaster relief areas, personnel accommodations, transportation, and other requirements, to complete handovers and mission briefings, to understand overall operations, to properly allocate manpower, and to balance duties with rest. At the same time, attention should be paid to hot weather conditions and insect bite prevention, ensuring that the troops are taken care of and can focus on disaster relief tasks.
Minister Koo also emphasized that the men and women undertaking disaster relief missions are working very hard, and when rotation personnel return to their units, commanding officers should provide positive encouragement and commendation, so that personnel feel the care from their units, and know that others are awaiting their return, thereby strengthening honor and cohesion.
Regarding personnel affected by the disaster, Minister Koo further directed that they should be given priority to return home to assist with post-disaster recovery; commanders at all levels should also continue to proactively care for them, understand the conditions of their households, arrange accommodation planning, and provide timely assistance and care.