In the wake of Super Typhoon Ragasa —the strongest storm the world has seen this year—a devastating disaster has unfolded in Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, where Indigenous communities living in the region have been among the hardest hit.

A barrier lake, formed after landslides blocked rivers in a remote mountain valley back in July, burst Tuesday (Sept. 23rd) from torrential rain. The lake held over 91 million tonnes of water, enough to fill 36,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. When it gave way, around three-quarters of that water surged downhill, destroying everything in its path.

The most severely affected area is home to the Taibalang Tribe (太巴塱) of the Amis people, an Indigenous community with deep ancestral ties to the region.

We are organizing this fundraiser in collaboration with Sumi, a respected Amis community leader, whose tribe was directly impacted. Sumi's 90-year-old grandma's ancestral home remains engulfed in mud, and all her belongings were swept away. Other elders did not even have time to pack their daily medications and other necessities.

These funds will support the rebuilding of homes and the recovery of daily life for the Taibalang community, as many homes and belongings were lost due to the destructive flood.

Each home will cost approximately $20,000 USD to rebuild, excluding essential items lost in the flood. Any donation, large or small, makes a world of difference.

All donations will go directly toward supporting Sumi’s tribe in their efforts to restore their lives and community.

The road to recovery and reconstruction is long. We hope that you can stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples in Taiwan facing the compounded impacts of climate change, displacement, and historical marginalization.

Please donate, share, and help Sumi and the Amis people rebuild their tribe's future.