Taipei: Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai announced on Thursday the government’s intention to allocate NT$20 billion (US$657.69 million) towards disaster recovery and reconstruction. This funding will be achieved through amendments to the special act addressing Typhoon Danas and the severe rainfall experienced on July 28.

According to Focus Taiwan, Premier Cho urged legislative cooperation, expressing hope that caucuses across the Legislative Yuan would swiftly back the initiative. The proposed budget aims to support rebuilding efforts in regions impacted by natural disasters, including Hualien County, where the overflow of a barrier lake on Matai’an Creek caused significant devastation in Guangfu Township.

Premier Cho clarified that the proposed funds are intended to supplement, not replace, the existing aid for areas already affected by Typhoon Danas, which struck Taiwan earlier in July. Executive Yuan Spokesperson Michelle Lee conveyed Cho’s remarks following an Executive Yuan meeting, highlighting that all of Hualien County had been designated a disaster area under the special act.

Lee also noted Cho’s explanation regarding the barrier lake, which formed after Typhoon Danas, with an overflow occurring on September 23 due to torrential rain. The Executive Yuan had previously approved a draft of the special act on August 7, which was passed by the Legislative Yuan on August 15, raising the maximum budget from NT$56 billion to NT$60 billion.

The Executive Yuan subsequently passed a special budgetary bill on August 21, with the Legislative Yuan authorizing the full NT$60 billion in a third reading on August 29, according to CNA.