March 24, 2011, Taipei, Taiwan--Evergreen Group Chairman Dr. Yung-fa Chang has made a personal donation of US$12.35 million (1 billion Japanese yen) to the Japan Red Cross to help with its post-disaster reconstruction. Chang presented the money via Evergreen Japan Corp. on Wednesday, March 23.

Previously, the Evergreen Group announced that Group Chairman Chang instructed that the Group's resources including but not limited to the marine and aviation business be used to assist the rescue work for the unspeakable tragedy of the earthquake and Tsunami that occurred in Japan on March 13. 
"We will make every effort to provide any necessary assistance to Japan's Governmental offices or related international rescue organizations,” he said.

A businessman and philanthropist with strong ties to Japan, Dr. Chang said the scale of damage from the March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in northeastern Japan had left him sleepless. "I was overwhelmed and couldn't sleep when I watched the daily TV coverage on the disaster," Chang said.

Chang said that he was moved to tears when he saw the reports of 70-odd elderly people who had lost all their family members in the disaster. Chang also expressed his admiration for the respect, conduct and strength of the Japanese people in the impacted regions, particularly those who had to wait in line for rationed food. "The post-disaster reconstruction cannot be completed in three or five years -- it will take at least 10 years," Chang said.

It will have an impact only on the economy of Japan, but not the entire world, he said. EVA Air has extended its resources to transport at no charge the first Rescue Team from Taiwan to arrive in Japan on March 13 of 35 members and 3000 kilos (6,600 pounds) of materials by its flight to Narita Airport. On March 14, the carrier again received request from local Ministry of Foreign Affairs to carry a large amount of goods needed for the livelihood of the Japanese people.

Two weeks later, with the rescues completed, Dr. Chang has decided to donate money to help with Japan's reconstruction. "If necessary, I will provide further assistance through the Chang Yung-fa Foundation," he said. CYFF is the philanthropic arm of the Evergreen Group.

The Evergreen Group has endeavored to help society, charity and public interest events, in Taiwan or abroad. For example, it gave generously to the 921 Earthquake in Taiwan, Southern Asia Tsunami, Wenchuan Earthquake in Sichuan, China, and numerous other causes.