By Peter A. Sutters Jr.
That's when an unlikely nation stepped in to help.After what he called “the easiest negotiations” he had ever been involved in, U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) announced Friday that the government of Taiwan had agreed to supply at least three 40-foot cargo containers and to pay for the shipping costs of getting the supplies where they are needed.”Their big problem was not getting the donations in but getting the materials out to Sri Lanka,” said Ackerman.Ackerman said he met with Ambassador Andrew Li-Yan Hsia of Taiwan to discuss what could be done to help ship the supplies to Sri Lanka and about halfway through the conversation Hsia stopped him and said, “Why don't we just provide the containers?” and then asked who was going to do the shipping. Ackerman recalled saying “well…” and Hsia interrupted him with “we will do the shipping as well” and then asked how many containers were needed. Ackerman replied about three containers were needed and Hsia said “done.””It was the easiest negotiations in the world,” said Ackerman. “They are unbelievable citizens of the international community.” While the congressman spoke, volunteers were hard at work filling a tractor trailer with boxes packed with supplies including water, clothing, medical supplies, batteries, tents, wheelchairs, and other much-needed items. A human chain formed from the stacked pallets passing each box down the line and up into the truck. Others brought hand trucks stacked with boxes from the basement of the temple up into the waiting hands of the volunteers. Although Taiwan was not affected by the tsunami and is more than 3,000 miles away than the disaster area, it felt complied to help out. In addition to providing the shipping containers, the country has pledged $50 million in aid. “The people of Taiwan are reaching out – even the ex-patriot community here in Queens is reaching out,” said Hsia “Over the weekend I received phone calls saying 'Mr. Ambassador, we must do something' and we are doing something here in Queens to help out.” Hsia said he remembered when an earthquake struck Taiwan and the world helped in the recovery efforts.”Five years ago we had an earthquake and the world came to us. Now it's time for Taiwan to reciprocate,” said Hsia. “We are very happy to be in a position to help.”In the basement of the temple, space was at a premium with the donations filling every available nook and cranny. Volunteers donning bibs that read 'Relief for Lanka' popped up from behind walls of cardboard to shout out to their fellow workers to see which size boxes would fit in the truck that was filling to the brim. Calls for small boxes could be heard over the laughter of the volunteers as the human chain got backed up by the overwhelming amount of supplies. Once the truck was full, it pulled away to deliver the goods to the port where they will be shipped by sea to Sri Lanka, a journey of about 45 days, according to Ackerman. Another truck donated by the Goya company was on the way to be loaded with the remaining supplies. The Taiwanese government said it would be happy to give more than three shipping containers if needed. To donate money or supplies to the temple, it is located at 214-22 Spencer Ave. in Queens Village or visit the Web site at www.helptolanka.org Reach reporter Peter A. Sutters Jr. by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext 173.
