Global Disaster Reduction and Relief

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.

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