Statement From AIT Taipei Director Raymond Burghardt to the People of Taiwan September 22, 1999

PR9948E | Date: 1999-09-22

On behalf of the American Institute in Taiwan and the American people, I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims of the Tuesday morning earthquake. I have been in contact with senior Taiwan leaders to offer humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of this terrible disaster. We are working closely with the appropriate authorities here to provide assistance to those who have suffered losses and who are still in need of support.

Today a team of ninety-two search and rescue professionals from the United States arrives in Taiwan. The assistance by this team has been coordinated by and funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. This group will include American professionals experienced in disaster relief efforts from the Fairfax County Search & Rescue team and the Miami-Dade County Search & Rescue team, more than 52 tons of equipment, vehicles and four specially-trained search and rescue dogs.

Again let me express the deep sadness shared by AIT and the American people for the severe losses suffered by the people of Taiwan in this horrible disaster. We continue to discuss with Taiwan's leadership additional ways in which we can be of assistance.