4th Anniversary of Morakot Disaster Series

Following County Route No. 149, the citizen journalist once more entered the flood-devastated village of Laiji (來吉), where rebuilding work on the road and bridge have yet to be completed. Teachers and students from Taipei Medical University, who formed an emergency relief team immediately after the disaster struck, still walk hand-in-hand alongside the villagers. The enthusiasm of students has touched the tribespeople beyond words; conversely, in spite of the destruction inflicted upon them, the unswerving determination and natural sense of contentment from the tribespeople, has been an enlightening experience to each and every one of the students.

These grateful tribespeople, have stepped out from the shadow of disaster, licked their wounds, and proudly begun to stand tall once again. Four years ago, in the immediately wake of the disaster, the relief team formed by Lin Yih-Ren (林益仁), Director of Taipei Medical University’s Graduate Institute of Humanities, entered Laiji village to provide aid. Over these four long years, the team’s commitment has not diminished, and it has continued to provide essential assistance; similarly, today, the same depth of concern is being shown by conducting student study tours of the area.

“Only through allowing them to experience the village’s reconstruction process first-hand, will a deep sense of empathy be fostered in the students,” said Professor Lin.One personal story depicting the impact of the typhoon is told by Mr and Mrs Zhuang, who following the severe flooding and ultimate destruction of Titanic Scenic Area (鐵達尼號風景區), were left unemployed. Fortunately, however, a small piece of land was spared from the typhoon’s wanton pillage.

“Perhaps this year’s high market price for high-mountain vegetables is God’s way of showing mercy on us; it’ll be sufficient to feed our family,” Mrs Zhuang said candidly. “As long as we work hard, none of us will starve; the only thing we need to fear is indolence,” she added. 

In addition, after managing to navigate the twists and turns of selecting an appropriate site for the last permanent housing development initiated by the Morakot disaster, on December 19, construction work finally started on Plot 152, Alishan Township.

“The process of selecting Plot 152 has had its fair share of complications. Though right from the very early stages, villagers set their minds on this plot, due to safety stipulations, the project met with continual delays. In a bid to overcome numerous difficulties, the council set up a special investigation group, which after five meetings, finally reached a consensus and activated the construction process. In spite of the fact that the tribespeople have endured a seemingly endless wait, the result has been better than anyone expected. It is a wonderful example of truly respecting the aspirations of the local tribespeople. Most importantly, they finally have peace of mind,” said Zhang Heng-yu (張恒裕) Secretary-General of the Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council.

4th Anniversary of Morakot Disaster Series –- Laiji Village on the mend
URL:https://www.peopo.org/news/227373

- 4th Anniversary of Morakot Disaster Series (7)
Start of construction work puts final piece of jigsaw in place
URL:http://www.peopo.org/news/227595

(以下是中文對照)

88風災四週年系列
-復甦中的來吉部落 影音

-88風災四週年系列(7)最後一塊拼圖德恩亞納基地動土 影音

照片

沿著嘉149甲線，公民記者再次踏入八八水災重創的來吉部落，部分道路和橋樑重建並未完成，當年在第一時間組成服務隊的台北醫學大學的師生，仍然陪伴在族人身旁。同學們的熱情令族人無限感動，而族人堅毅與樂天知命的性格則給了同學無限的啟示，我們欣慰部落已經從災難中挺立，族人也走出創痛一展笑容。台北醫學大學醫學人文研究所所長林益仁，在第一時間組成服務隊進入部落陪伴族人，四年來服務工作一直在進行，日前，他再度帶著學生進行關懷和學習之旅，林教授表示，讓學生親身體驗部落的重建過程，才能深化同學的同理心。之前在鐵達尼號風景區賣愛玉子的莊孝正夫婦，也因為風景區遭沖毀而失業，幸好還有一些未遭殃的土地可以耕作，莊太太說，也許是老天眷顧，今年的高山蔬菜價格都很好，要養活一家子沒問題，她也不諱言，只要努力工作就不怕沒飯吃，怕就怕好吃懶做。

另外，莫拉克風災最後一處德恩亞納永久屋基地，歷經選址波折，今（19）日終於在阿里山鄉152林班地(德恩亞納基地)動土。行政院重建會張恒裕主任秘書致詞時表示，德恩亞納基地的選定真的是幾經波折，152林班地是來吉村民很早就選定的，只是安全條件遲未通過，行政院重建會特別組成專案小組，歷經5次會議，終於克服困難，啟動永久屋興建程序，等待的時間雖然漫長，但是結果卻是美好的，這可說是尊重居民意願的最佳典範，各位族人也終於可以安心。