Government Information Office
 
November 21, 2001
 
Background

1. Afghanistan has undergone 20 years of war, suffered from drought the past three years, and was hit in 1999 by a devastating earthquake. Undoubtedly, the Afghan people have experienced a great deal of suffering. Even before the recent US military actions, there were already five million Afghan refugees, according to international refugee relief organizations. Since US military actions began in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, it is estimated that the number of refugees has increased by 2.5 million. As winter begins, the Afghan refugees are faced with even greater hardships.
    

2. Along with military strikes against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the US has air-dropped food, medicine and supplies to the Afghan people. On October 12, President Bush initiated a campaign asking every American child to donate one US dollar to help Afghan children, and called on the United Nations and other countries supporting anti-terrorism to provide relief to the Afghan refugees. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan set a goal of raising US$584 million for a refugee relief fund. This has received an enthusiastic response throughout the world, and by mid-October global donations had reached US$ 823.71 million.
    

3. At a high-ranking meeting on October 8, held in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, President Chen Shui-bian reiterated the Republic of China's (ROC) full support for the actions and determination taken by the United States in the war against terrorism. He also expressed great concern about resettlement and other necessary assistance for Afghan refugees, as well as the ROC's willingness to help provide such assistance as needed in the international community.
    

4. Taiwan's charity organizations are very active in promoting humanitarian assistance and have won worldwide recognition. Many groups have extended aid to those who lost their family or their jobs in the September 11 terrorist attacks. They have also sent relief to Afghan refugees after the US launched military strikes in Afghanistan. So far, donations of US$16.22 million have been made by the public and private sectors in Taiwan.
   
   

5. The ROC government will coordinate private-sector efforts and cooperate with the US and various international organizations in resolving the Afghan refugee problem. This is also a concrete act of support for US anti-terrorism actions.