Taipei, March 10 (CNA) A Taiwan government-designated account has received nearly NT$522 million (US$18.431 million) in donations in just a little over a week since it was established to raise money to help Ukrainian refugees forced to flee their country by the Russian invasion.
Money has poured into the account which was established at 2 p.m. March 2, including a record single donation of US$1 million donated Thursday.
As of 4:15 p.m. Thursday, the account had received NT$521.98 million from 84,878 donations, including the US$1 million, according to the Relieve Disaster Foundation (財團法人賑災基金會), commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to operate the donation drive.
The foundation said the donation drive is under the direction of the Central Bank, Financial Supervisory Commission, and Ministry of Finance and all cross-account handling fees will be exempted when making payments to the donation drive from March 2 to April 1.
Any handling fees deducted during the period will be returned to the account of the donor, the foundation said.
The foundation called on people to continue to donate to the account established under its name with the number 102-005-124-619 via automated teller machines or bank transfers.
Donations can also be made at https://wabay.tw/projects/twuk, it added.
The donation drive will close on April 1, while donations made via convenience stores will close on March 27, the foundation said.
Speaking about the donation drive, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Taiwan was able to raise over NT$500 million in just days and the country will work with the international community to support Ukraine.
In the future, Taiwan will continue to work hard to deepen relations with Ukraine, Tsai said.
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Taiwan is no stranger to the threat of a more powerful country and stands firmly with the Ukrainian people.
During the new year, Taiwan also pledges to strengthen ties with other countries, firmly defend democracy and freedom, strive to enhance cooperation, contribute to the international community, and promote global prosperity and stability, Wu said.
