Taiwan disaster prevention and resilience initiatives

Disaster prevention and resilience initiatives in Taiwan have focused on community education and practical preparedness. Initial efforts included a summer camp in Taipei City for elementary students and their parents, utilizing hands-on simulations for earthquake evacuation, first aid, and CPR training.

To mark National Disaster Prevention Day and the 27th anniversary of the 921 earthquake, regional activities have expanded. In Nantou County, events at the 921 Memorial Park involved over 2,000 participants and featured demonstrations of emergency kits, earthquake drills such as ‘drop, cover, and hold on,’ and modern rescue equipment like firefighting robots and drones. The county has also established 19 resilient communities to strengthen local response networks. In Kaohsiung, the Dingjin Division of the Fire Bureau partnered with retailers to create one-stop disaster prevention zones where citizens can purchase essential supplies like survival kits and flashlights during routine shopping.

Further large-scale drills are scheduled for September 21. The Central Weather Administration plans to test the Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) with three stages of alerts: a simulated magnitude 7.3 earthquake in Taitung at 9:21 AM, a tsunami warning for coastal areas at 9:30 AM, and a cancellation at 10:00 AM. Authorities noted these alerts will be marked with ‘【115年國家防災日演習】’ to prevent panic. In Pingtung, officials clarified the tsunami drill is a system test only. Complementary educational activities, including interactive booths at Da-Yeh University and community fairs in Taipei, continue to promote skills such as CPR, AED operation, and fire safety.