Support Taiwan Red Cross

The winners of last year’s 8^th National International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot Court Competition from National Taiwan University (NTU), led by the school’s former mooters Yu-Hsiu and Cheng-Lin, headed to Hong Kong to take part in the 15^th Red Cross Asia-Pacific Region International Humanitarian Law Moot from 8^th to 11^th March.  The NTU team brought back two trophies – Best Defendant Memorial and Best Mooter. 

Law majors undergraduate sophomore year Ting-Yu, junior year Sheng-Chan, and second-year graduate Hsiang-Yu went up against 24 teams from the Asia-Pacific region.  Countries participated in the competition include Thailand, Australia, China, Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Mongolia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Nepal, Iran, and India.  Despite not being able to advance to the quarter-final rounds, students expressed that they had enjoyed and learned much from their experience in Hong Kong.

The Asia-Pacific Moot is co-hosted by the Hong Kong Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with the support of the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.  The objectives of the Asia-Pacific Moot are to raise awareness of international humanitarian issues among law students, enhance knowledge and application of international humanitarian law rather than black letter law, promote the spirit of humanity among law students in the Asia-Pacific region, and to know more about the role and work of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.

In addition to the moot court competition, the organizing party also incorporated Role Play Contest, exploration activity – Warzone 90, and keynote seminars for the competing students, observers, coaches, and judges to take part in.  For Role Play Contest, students were assigned one of two sides to represent in a thirty-minute session, replicating negotiation sessions centering on IHL issues.  Warzone 90 was an unusual 90-minute journey for students to step onto a ruthless battlefield; participants built up a more concrete humanitarian perspective through experiencing the taste of despair, as well as the glimpse of hope. 

Keynote seminars were given by former judge Sir Kenneth Keith of the International Court of Justice, legal adviser Mr. Antoine Bouvier of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and professor Shiyan Sun of the Institute of International Law at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on “Forty Years on from the Additional Protocols,” “Protecting Cultural Property in Armed Conflicts: A Long Journey,” and “The Applicability of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law to the Fight against Terrorism: Issues and Remarks,” respectively. 

Links:

• More information on Taiwan Red Cross

From the extremely divisive election in the United States to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, from the powerful earthquake to typhoon disasters, 2016 has been a challenging year for many of us.  However, we can still find the positive in every situation.

We are touched beyond words each time a donation is received.  This might be something small to you, but it truly means a lot to the people in need.  On behalf of beneficiaries, Taiwan Red Cross would like to express sincere gratitude to all of our supporters.  Our hearts are smiling because you make the world a better place.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

Being human is given,

but keeping our humanity

is a choice.

                     - anonymous

Cash-based assistance

In 2016, Taiwan Red Cross has been focusing on post-disaster relief operations since a major earthquake hit the southern part of Taiwan on February 6, 2016.  Several on-site cash delivery projects had been launched to assist earthquake-affected population.  The deliveries included condolence money for the bereaved, medical financial assistance for those injured in the disaster, support for people who need long-term recovery care, monetary assistance for amputees, emergency welfare funding, relocation funding, cash grants to replace damaged household appliances, and educational financial assistance for children who became orphaned in the quake.

Robert C. DeWitt, Chief of the American Institute in Taiwan – Kaohsiung Branch Office paid a visit to the delivery site.  According to DeWitt, the United States had worked together with the Taiwan Red Cross to provide support to the victims of Typhoon Morakot in 2009.  They were very grateful for the TRC staff’s professional assistance and value the long-term partnership between Taiwan and the States.  DeWitt sincerely hopes that the donation contributed by the American people can assist the victims of the 0206 Tainan Earthquake to recover and return to their everyday lives as early as possible.  “The process of rebuilding and reconstructing can be a long one, and we hope our friends in Tainan can remember that the AIT and the American people are always on your side!” said DeWitt.  

Testimonials from people affected by disasters

Beneficiary A

“My husband underwent a major amputation, so we were very worried about future costs for rehabilitation.  This grant has really been a big, big help to us, especially in my husband’s prosthetic reconstruction efforts.  I hope that, now, I can relax and take good care of my husband, children, and family.  Thank you so much!” 

Beneficiary B

“My wife was injured in the earthquake and needs to undergo rehabilitation.  We have to take a taxi to and from the hospital each time, and the cost of transportation is quite a burden to us.  The financial assistance comes just in time, and we are very grateful to Red Cross and all of the donors.”

Beneficiary C

 “There are a lot of areas where the government may not be able to help us, but Red Cross can.  Red Cross makes the most out of the contributions provided by the kindhearted overseas donors, which have been a big help to us affected people.  Thank you Red Cross and donors for everything that you have done.”

Beneficiary D

“My little brother’s left leg was amputated, and so he will need continuous medical care.  Without Red Cross’s assistance and donors’ financial support, it would be more than difficult for us to go through such a harsh period of time.  My little brother and I wrote a thank you card to express our gratitude.  We truly appreciate the assistance that we have received.”

Links:

• What we are up to