The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has committed to donating US$1 million to the World Health Organization in response to its call for help in preventing the spread of Ebola in Africa and cooperation in public health security. Taiwan thereby demonstrates its goodwill and determination to participate in global health and disease prevention endeavors, as well as its willingness to fulfill its obligations as a responsible member of the international community.
 
President Tsai Ing-wen announced the donation at a meeting with Taiwan’s World Health Assembly action team on May 26. The donation is made based on humanitarian considerations and Taiwan’s professional, pragmatic, and constructive participation in international medical cooperation.
 
In order to fight the spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African nations, WHO announced in a press release on May 21 its intention to raise US$26 million over three months. At the WHA’s plenary session the following day, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar II stated that the US would pledge US$7 million to this effort in addition to an earlier donation of US$1 million, bringing total US contributions to US$8 million.
 
Taiwan government’s announced donation would serve as a direct response to WHO’s funding drive, a concrete contribution to global health security, as well as extra encouragement for even more countries to join the fight against Ebola.
 
Taiwan was once a beneficiary of aid from the US and other nations, and received international assistance during the SARS epidemic in 2003. As a result of the significant political, economic, and social progress it has made over the years, Taiwan is now in a position to give back to the world community. Indeed, the people of Taiwan, regardless of political affiliation, are united in their wish to engage in international cooperation to fight disease.
 
In 2014, for example, Taiwan contributed US$1 million to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation and provided 100,000 units of personal protective equipment to the US Agency for International Development, joining worldwide endeavors to combat Ebola.
 
Meanwhile, Taiwan is located at a strategic position in East Asia and is a key destination and transit stop for international travelers, which makes it vulnerable to cross-border transmission and cross-transmission of communicable diseases. Taiwan therefore implements necessary precautionary measures to prevent the import of infectious diseases and minimize potential risks to the life and health of its people, including those living, traveling, and doing business overseas. (E)