Disaster Response Taiwan Project #45003

Global Disaster Reduction and Relief

by The Mustard Seed Mission

Project Report | Dec 30, 2025
When the Road Breaks

By Ariel Wu | International Social Media Manager

When the Road Breaks: How a Mountain Village’s Quiet Preparedness Paid Off
In early July 2025, Typhoon Danas struck Taiwan’s southern region with torrential rain and fierce winds. In the remote Dawu Village (Labuwan in the Rukai language) of Pingtung County, landslides and flooding quickly severed the road into the village. Power and communication were lost. Dawu Village became an island, with no way in or out.

But it wasn’t the first time this had happened.

A Lesson from Morakot

Back in 2009, Typhoon Morakot devastated much of Taiwan. All three bridges connecting Dawu to the outside world were destroyed, leaving residents stranded for a full week until helicopters could reach them. Although Dawu was one of the few Indigenous villages later deemed safe enough to remain inhabited, the disaster exposed just how fragile access to necessities could be in remote mountain villages.

In response, The Mustard Seed Mission worked with local partners to establish a disaster food reserve center in the village. Stocked with 3 days’ worth of supplies, this preemptive measure ensures that, should roads be cut off again, the community wouldn’t be left helpless.

The Test of Typhoon Danas

When Danas made landfall in the summer of 2025, the village was once again cut off. Roads were blocked, power was out, and with no signal, outside contact was impossible. News outlets later reported that the Wutai township mayor had to cross the flooded mountain terrain on foot to deliver urgent medicine.

When MSM finally reached the local reserve center manager. The update brought relief: “There was damage, but everyone is safe. And the supplies are holding.” She had already distributed food kits to 50 households—including rice, noodles, canned goods, baby formula, oatmeal, and bottled water.

Because of the food reserve center, families didn’t have to wait or worry during the most uncertain hours after the storm.

Why It Matters

According to the estimation by the World Bank, 99% of the Taiwanese population lives in areas exposed to multiple natural hazards, making it one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. In villages like Dawu, with limited access and only one narrow road in or out, isolation during emergencies isn’t just a possibility, but a pattern.

That’s why proactive preparedness matters. It may be quiet, steady, and easily goes unnoticed, but it works. By setting up food reserve centers, training local managers, and establishing clear response protocols, communities are better equipped to handle the unexpected.

Disasters don’t wait. Neither can preparation.

Dawu village showed what a difference readiness can make. With your support, The Mustard Seed Mission can help more remote communities set up supply centers, conduct training, and build long-term resilience in advance.

Disaster waits for no one. Support long-term disaster preparedness and help more villages get ready before the next storm hits.

For friends in Taiwan: https://bit.ly/3WiZ9h1
Support us via GlobalGiving: https://bit.ly/409rerW
Corporate Giving via Benevity: https://bit.ly/4dVydK2

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Sep 4, 2025
How Taimali Faced Disaster When the River Rose

By Ariel Wu | International Social Media Manager

When Typhoon Krathon swept across Taiwan last year, few places were hit harder like Taimali in Taitung County. The storm brought violent rains that transformed the Shalun River into a raging torrent of mud and debris. Homes were buried. Roads leading up to Jinjen Mountain were washed away. Locals returned to an unfamiliar landscape. No one in Dawang Village was harmed—but it wasn’t just luck.

Land of the Rising Sun

Taimali, known for its dramatic coastlines and sunrise views, sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Central Mountain Range. Its beauty hides its vulnerability. The area has long lived alongside constant threats: typhoons, landslides, and debris flows.

Since Typhoon Morakot in 2009, which radically reshaped the terrain, most storms came and went without major damage. Constant evacuations began to feel routine, and the early warnings started to feel like false alarms. Until Krathon.

The typhoon brought destruction like the community hadn’t seen in years. But it also proved that years of quiet preparation had made a difference.

Prepared to Act

Since 2022, The Mustard Seed Mission has been working with Dawang Village in Taimali to strengthen community-led disaster preparedness. Through consistent training, residents learned how to recognize hazards, organize evacuation teams, and run emergency shelters.

When Krathon hit, those lessons were put to the test. When MSM was in Taimali for the disaster response, the village head told us, “Because of the lessons you gave us, we knew what to do. Everyone got out safely. Some homes were buried, but we’re all still here.”

Learning That Sticks

The storm only deepened the village’s commitment to preparedness. This year, MSM returned once again for another round of training. Guiding residents through a range of practical exercises from using NCDR hazard maps to identify risk zones, to reviewing evacuation routes and communication procedures.

During one session, an elder paused as she stared at the satellite map on her phone. The Shalun River, next to where her home used to be, was now a warning. “Disasters won’t stop happening,” the instructor reminded them gently. “But the more we prepare, the more we can reduce the damage and recover faster.” Around her, others nodded in quiet agreement. As painful as it was, Karthon had proven the training’s value.

In drills, residents practiced setting up shelters, resolving mock disputes, correcting registration errors, and responding to simulated supply shortages. Elders, youth, and volunteers all played their roles. Every mistake became a learning opportunity, helping the community shape its own response model as they found their rhythm.

A Resilient Way of Life

Preparedness isn’t a one-time lecture. It’s a habit and a mindset. Typhoons won’t wait for readiness. But Dawang Village showed us that there is always something we can do. With preparedness training, The Mustard Seed Mission is helping to equip Taiwan’s remote communities with the resilience they need.

We will continue partnering with communities like Taimali to grow resilience from the ground up. Because in Taiwan’s most disaster-prone regions, resilience must be rooted long before the next storm arrives.

Support long-term disaster preparedness and help more villages get ready before the next storm hits.

For friends in Taiwan: https://bit.ly/3WiZ9h1
Support us via GlobalGiving: https://bit.ly/409rerW
Corporate Giving via Benevity: https://bit.ly/4dVydK2

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May 12, 2025
Disaster Readiness in Remote Amis Village

By Ariel Wu | International Social Media Manager

Imagine a Taiwan where even the most remote communities aren't just surviving disasters—they're prepared to face them with confidence and dignity. Where age and isolation don't determine vulnerability. Where Indigenous wisdom combines with modern preparedness strategies to create resilient villages.

This isn't just a vision—it's already unfolding in Baliyuan Village (Haciliwan in the Amis language), a tiny community of 28 households nestled in Hualien's mountainous Fengbin Township. Here, The Mustard Seed Mission is pioneering an approach that transforms how Taiwan's aging, remote communities prepare for increasingly frequent disasters.

From Distance to Connection

When The Mustard Seed Mission (MSM) first began working in Baliyuan, we were met with understandable caution. Many of the elders had never had consistent outside support. But through repeated visits, listening with care, and hands-on assistance, trust started to grow.

We believe disaster education isn’t confined to a whiteboard. To adapt to the unique needs of Baliyuan, the lessons were designed to integrate with the elders’ minds, using everyday examples, group Q&A games, and practice drills to help turn abstract safety concepts into lived understanding. These sessions emphasize preparedness in daily life, bridging the gap between knowing what to do and feeling confident doing it.

This effort was acknowledged during the 70th anniversary of Baliyuan’s local church, where Pastor Zhu-Ho Panung publicly thanked MSM for not only delivering resources but for empowering the community with knowledge. It was a gracious moment of community strength.

Staying Through the Storm

Last year, Typhoon Kong-rey and the April 3^rd Hualien Earthquake caused damage to homes in Baliyuan, and many elders were left to manage on their own. MSM responded by inviting indigenous adults to return to the village, checking building safety, and providing essential repairs. And by showing up again and again to offer emotional reassurance. These follow-up visits weren’t just to fulfill clerical procedures; they were MSM’s commitment to provide continuity in uncertain times.

In a double aging community, restoring a home isn’t just about the structural integrity; it’s about restoring the resident’s sense of security, autonomy, and dignity.

Help Us Reach More Villages Like Baliyuan

Taiwan’s most remote communities are often its most vulnerable. For places like Baliyuan, disaster preparedness isn’t optional; it’s essential. And with aging people living in aging homes, the stakes are only growing.

The Mustard Seed Mission is committed to reaching these quiet corners before the next storm hits through education, home safety, and continued care.

Support our disaster preparedness work. Help us protect and empower more villages like Baliyuan.

No matter the age, no one should be left behind, especially not those living closest to the edge.

For friends in Taiwan: https://bit.ly/3WiZ9h1
Support us via GlobalGiving: https://bit.ly/409rerW
Corporate Giving via Benevity: https://bit.ly/4dVydK2

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