Taiwanese expatriates and Filipino locals recently gathered today in unity for the “Taiwan Can Help” Charity Walk, calling for global support of Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the upcoming 78th World Health Assembly (WHA).
Taiwan has been excluded from the annual summit for nine consecutive years.
The Taiwanese Association of the Philippines organized the walk for a cause in Caloocan City, Metro Manila.
With banners declaring “Taiwan Can Help” and “Leaving No One Behind,” the crowd walked together to highlight Taiwan’s contributions to global public health and humanitarian assistance despite its political ban on participating in international health forums.
Ambassador Wallace Minn-Gan Chow, Taiwan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, echoed this message: “Taiwan is a responsible stakeholder in global health. The WHO’s exclusion of Taiwan undermines the integrity of the global health architecture and hampers the world’s ability to respond to health crises. We urge all countries, including the Philippines, to support Taiwan’s participation in WHO meetings, mechanisms, and the WHA as an observer.”
Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, Chairperson of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and Philippine Representative to Taiwan, emphasized Taiwan’s strong healthcare system and capacity to contribute to global health solutions.