In response to continued announcements by the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) of the incoming cold front, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has activated the cold-weather care mechanism, the Executive Yuan stated today.
The MOHW notified city and county governments yesterday (December 15) to collaborate with social welfare groups on enhancing visits and care for the homeless and vagrants. Those who are willing to be settled should be placed in accommodation institutions or warm temporary shelters, while those who are unwilling to settle should be prioritized for visits and distribution of cold-resistant clothing, sleeping bags and hot food.
Besides extending care services to the homeless and disadvantaged, the MOHW has especially alerted the elderly and people with heart and blood circulation problems to take necessary measures to keep warm.
The Executive Yuan has also directed other related ministries and agencies to both augment response measures and instruct their subsidiary agencies as well as local governments to take preventative action.
The Ministry of the Interior has reminded the public to pay attention to ventilation when utilizing natural gas equipment (such as water heaters) in order to avoid carbon-monoxide poisoning.
The Council of Agriculture must warn farmers, fishermen and aquaculture operators to minimize losses by bracing for chill damage.
The Executive Yuan reminded citizens to wear sufficiently warm clothing when going outdoors and to look out for one another. If they find any person needing help, they can call the MOHW's hotline 1957 to seek speedy assistance via public- and private-sector resources.
According to the CWB's latest data, the cold front is gradually moving southward. From tonight to early in the morning of December 18, coastal Yilan, areas north of Tainan, and the Kinmen and Matsu islands will see temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius.