Super hurricane Harvey battered Houston, Texas, for days causing severe flooding recently. As soon as he heard the news, Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Minister Wu Hsin-hsing immediately contacted the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Houston to show concern about affected compatriots and also posted a message to comfort them on Facebook. 

Wu said in his Facebook message that he felt worried and sad for compatriots in Houston but believes that, after the disaster passes, the affected people will quickly rebuild their lives. He said that the OCAC and the Houston Culture Center, in combination with the efforts from compatriot communities, are working hard to respond to this disaster and said that the government of the ROC will forever stand side by side with compatriots.

 It is understood that some compatriots were stranded in their homes by flood water. After the TECO Culture Center and Association of Care and Assistance contacted 911, the affected people were rescued and escorted to the shelter of relatives’houses.

After activating the Emergency Contact Network, TECO and the Culture Center staff continued to pay close attention to the effect of the disaster on the compatriot community and provide timely assistance.