Greater Vancouver Emergency Relief Association Established to Provide Rescue, Anti-Fraud, and Safety Protection

(Central News Agency, reporter Cheng Ai-fen, Vancouver, 7th) The overseas Chinese community in Greater Vancouver, Canada, established an Emergency Relief Association today. Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Minister Hsu Chia-ching personally attended the founding ceremony. Canadian political figures and police representatives also attended, expressing gratitude to the Taiwanese community for providing crucial assistance to Canadian society.

Minister Hsu stated that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the OCAC's 'Emergency Relief Association' initiative. Since the establishment of the first overseas chapter in Boston in March 2017, chapters have been set up in many cities worldwide. She expressed delight that Vancouver, through the coordination of the Greater Vancouver Taiwanese Community Federation, has become the 120th chapter globally.

She said, 'Anyone can encounter an accident in an unfamiliar environment. The Emergency Relief Association can connect with local government and community resources to provide immediate help to those in distress.'

Canadian Member of Parliament Wade Chang was very pleased that the Taiwanese community has created such an excellent platform. 'Taiwan's achievements in high technology and public health are world-class, and its experience in responding to large-scale disasters is also very rich. In the future, this organization is expected to further strengthen emergency relief resources between Canada and Taiwan.'

British Columbia Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Kelly Greene, cited earthquakes, floods, and wildfires as the main natural disasters facing BC. She noted that while the provincial government continuously urges public vigilance and provides resources for victims, it may not reach all citizens. She expressed confidence that the Greater Vancouver Emergency Relief Association will help those in need.

Two officers from the Vancouver Police Department, Canon Wong and Young Chiu, attended the event and shared information on personal safety and fraud prevention.

Vancouver is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the influx of international tourists may attract criminals. The officers took the opportunity to remind attendees of safety tips, such as 'In unfamiliar environments, pay attention to escape routes; don't just look down at your phone, be aware of your surroundings; vary your daily routines to prevent malicious individuals from easily tracking your movements.'

Last year, a tragic car-ramming incident occurred during a Filipino festival in Vancouver, leaving a Taiwanese woman, Wang Feng, who was in Vancouver on a working holiday visa, severely injured and in a coma. Thanks to the immediate assistance from classmates, neighbors, and the Greater Vancouver Taiwanese Association, she is out of critical condition and gradually recovering.

The Tzu Chi Canada Foundation has long served as a crucial non-governmental support in local disaster relief, filling resource gaps in the early stages of a disaster and providing practical physical and mental support to victims.

Liu Yung-chiang, Hsieh Ming-chu, and Tsai An-hui, leaders of the Greater Vancouver Taiwanese Community Federation, stated that the valuable experience and resources of these Taiwanese community organizations will be shared and better organized under the platform of the 'Emergency Relief Association.' In the event of natural or man-made disasters, it can be activated quickly to address urgent needs, demonstrating the strong resilience of the Taiwanese community. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150608