Disaster risk reduction the Taiwanese way
by Arlene Lusterio
Taiwan is located north of the Philippines and is the recipient of many typhoons that leave the country. It is also sandwiched between the Luzon-Philippine and Euro-Asia tectonic plates. Taiwan is exposed to four out of five natural hazards: typhoon, flood, earthquake and debris flow. Some of the worst disasters that have hit Taiwan are the Chi-Chi Earthquake on September 21, 1999 which had a magnitude of 7.3; the flooding due to Typhoon Nari in 2001 which shut down subway systems and the function of the whole city of Taipei; and debris flow in Central Taiwan in 2004.
The Taiwanese have strived to learn from these disasters. For example, the damage done by the 1999 earthquake has been preserved in the Earthquake Museum (left photo) in Tai Chung City. The actual ruins of a school housed in the museum show how buildings respond to seismic forces. Findings from research on the ruins of the earthquake have served as guides in structural designs of buildings after 1999.
An Emergency Operations Center was also established in each city to respond to emergency situations and serve as a hub for emergency operations. For example, Taipei has an Emegency Operations Center (EOC) housed in a building built just for disaster response, which can withstand an intensity 7 earthquake. It uses top of line technology and real time monitoring of emergency situations with support from scientists and technical experts from the National Taiwan University. It has a conference room where experts can meet in times of disaster and a special room for the commander or the county mayor. It has a 24-hour monitoring system, and disaster response can be initiated with back up power supply. They even have sleeping quarters so the emergency operations staff can work in shifts.
