Taipei City Church Announcement Regarding the Hualien Earthquake Response
Peace be with our dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
On Wednesday, April 3rd, at 7:58 AM, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Hualien, causing significant damage to the region.
Thanks to modern communication technology, news of the earthquake and the resulting disaster quickly reached all corners of the world. Concern and well wishes poured in from church communities globally, with phone calls and messages inquiring about the well-being of our fellow saints. Despite being busy with visiting affected areas and assisting with recovery efforts, the brothers in the Hualien church promptly reported the situation of the church buildings and the personal and financial losses of the saints to all churches the following day (see Appendix).
On April 9th at 11:00 AM Taiwan time, brothers from churches throughout Taiwan convened a meeting with the Hualien brothers to understand the extent of the disaster and the current situation, and to discuss post-disaster response measures. Approximately twelve hours later, at 9:30 AM Pacific Time on April 9th, during the global co-worker prayer meeting, the first concern raised was the Hualien earthquake and the need for disaster relief. Therefore, the brothers from the Taipei General Service Office recently gathered to seek the Lord on how we in Taipei should cooperate in this matter.
Regarding caring for and supporting the affected saints and assisting with the repair and reconstruction of damaged church buildings, the brothers have the following fellowship:
Government and charitable organizations are actively providing shelters and temporary housing for affected households and residents. The Hualien church is also regularly visiting the affected saints who are receiving temporary housing and plans to designate suitable space within the Mingli Road church building for long-term accommodation. Among the affected saints, there are 5 or 6 individuals who are orphaned, elderly, or disabled, and we are assisting them in finding more suitable long-term housing solutions.
This earthquake was the largest in 25 years, and donations from various sectors both domestically and internationally have been pouring in. It is expected that the government will adequately care for the affected residents and industries.
The Hualien church building on the second floor of the Tonghua Building, which serves as a church space of over 200 ping (approximately 660 square meters), suffered severe damage. Based on past experiences, buildings in Hualien that were demolished due to earthquake damage were all located on fault lines, leading to divided opinions, and none of the demolished buildings have been rebuilt on their original sites. Additionally, part of the first church building is being planned for accommodating the affected saints. The brothers in Hualien have proposed building a new, larger church building on the existing site of the second church building in the Meilun area, which has a land area of 208 ping (approximately 686 square meters). The estimated financial burden for this project is NT$90 million. In principle, Taipei will contribute one-third, Hualien will contribute one-third, and the remaining one-third will come from other churches both domestically and internationally.
When making donations, please indicate “For Hualien Earthquake Reconstruction and Relief”.
The above fellowship has been deemed good by all the brothers. We hereby communicate this matter to you all.
Recalling the aftermath of the 921 earthquake, the unity of the churches worldwide in disaster relief efforts, gospel preaching, spiritual rebuilding, and financial contributions brought down the Lord’s immense blessings. The churches in the disaster-stricken areas became “blessed zones.” The church buildings rebuilt through the support of the Body of Christ became a testimony to the mutual care among the churches in the Body of Christ.
May we be of the same mind, doing good to all men (Romans 12:16-17).
Taipei City Church
General Service Office Brothers
April 12, 2024
Appendix
2024/0403
Report on the Situation of Saints Affected by the Hualien Earthquake
Translation of Saint and Property Damage Report
- Saints’ Personal Injuries:
Approximately ten saints suffered injuries from falling objects, being crushed by cabinets, or experiencing severe shock. All were hospitalized and have since been discharged. The remaining saints are generally safe.
- Damage to Saints’ Residences:
The ten-story Tonghua Building adjacent to the Hualien church exhibited exposed steel bars in the first-floor pillars after the earthquake, raising concerns about its structural integrity. The site has been cordoned off and access is restricted. The entire second floor, with an area of about 200 ping (approximately 660 square meters), belongs to the church. Above the third floor, more than ten units are privately owned by saints. Additionally, a collapsed and tilted building known as the Uranus Building also includes one unit owned by a saint.
III. Currently, approximately 20 households with over 40 saints are homeless and have been temporarily relocated. They are staying in the homes of other saints, church buildings, charity shelters, or government shelters.
(Translated from Google Gemini)
「台北市召会关于花莲大地震的因应交通」
亲爱的主内弟兄姊妹平安，
四月3日（周三）上午七时五十八分于花莲外海发生了芮氏规模七点二级的强烈地震，对花莲地区造成了不小的灾害。
由于现代通讯发达，地震的消息与灾情报导立刻传递至各地。全球众召会的关心与问候，询问及慰问圣徒的电话与短讯接踵而来。花莲召会的弟兄们经实际走访与协助善后的百忙中，也于次日实时的将会所与圣徒人身、财损的状况向众召会报告交通。（见附录）
全台众召会弟兄们于台湾时间四月九日上午十一点约请花莲弟兄们说明灾情与现况，并交通灾后的因应。约十二小时后，美西时间四月9日上午九点半，全球同工祷告交通中，第一件关心的事即为花莲地震的灾情并赈灾的需要。故此，日前台北总执事室弟兄们特就此事一同寻求在台北我们应当如何配合。
关于照顾、扶助受灾圣徒与帮助损毁会所的修复与重建。弟兄们有以下交通：
一 对于受灾户与居民，政府协同慈善单位均竭力提供避难、临时性安置场所。目前，花莲召会亦规律的探访接受安置的受灾圣徒，并计划于明礼路会所规划合适长期安置的空间。受灾圣徒中有5、6位孤、老、身障的圣徒，协助他们寻找更适切的长期住所。
二 此次地震规模为二十五年来最大，海内外各界捐赠善款相当踊跃，预计政府将妥善照顾受灾居民与产业。
三 花莲召会于统花大楼二楼，作为会所用途两百余坪的房舍受损严重。鉴于过往，在花莲因地震受损拆除的建物均位于断层带上，故各方意见分歧，拆除迄今无一处建物原地重建。加以一会所部分空间规划安置圣徒。在花莲的弟兄们提议于美仑地区，土地二百零八坪的二会所现址，原地新建大会所。财务负担，预计新台币九千万元。原则上，台北三分之一、花莲三分之一，其余海内外各地召会三分之一。
四 奉献时请注明 「花莲大地震重建赈灾用」。
以上交通，众弟兄皆以为美。谨将此事与您们交通。
回想，九二一大地震后，因着全球众召会在赈灾行动、福音传扬、心灵重建并财务奉献上同心合意，带下主莫大的祝福。灾区的众召会成了「福区」。借着身体扶持所重建的会所，更成了在基督身体里众召会相顾的见证。
愿我们思念相同，向着众人作善美的事。（罗十二 16-17）。
台北市召会 总执事室弟兄们 同启
主后 2024年 四月12日
附录
2024/0403
花莲大地震圣徒受灾情况报告
一，圣徒人身受灾部分：
约近十位圣徒，遭掉落物击伤，柜体压伤，或重度惊吓等，都经送医治疗，目前皆已出院。其余圣徒大致平安。
二，圣徒房舍毁损部分：
花莲会所隔壁的十层的统花大楼，地震后，ㄧ楼柱子有钢筋外露现象，恐被视为危楼，现场已遭封锁管制。其中第二层整层约200坪，属于召会所有；三楼以上，也有十余户为圣徒私人拥有。另外还有一倒塌倾斜的天王星大楼，其中也有一户为圣徒拥有。
三，目前受灾无家可归之圣徒约20户40余人，暂时安置于圣徒们家中、会所、慈善机构收容中心、或公部门收容中心等。
