Officials from the Red Cross Society of China visited two southern Taiwan counties Saturday to learn about the needs of the victims in the wake of Typhoon Morakot, which devastated parts of southern Taiwan in early August. Jiang Yiman, executive vice president of the Red Cross Society of China, along with other Red Cross Society officials, called on the Chiayi chapter of the Red Cross Society of the Republic of China to learn about reconstruction efforts being carried out by the Chiayi county government in the aftermath of the typhoon. Chiayi chapter head Wu Jung-huei said Typhoon Morakot, which triggered serious mudslides, left 10 people dead and two missing in the county, as well as the collapse of 22 bridges, damage to 125 road sections, and agricultural losses amounting to NT$2.99 billion (US$91.95 million). Wu expressed appreciation to the Red Cross Society of China for its assistance in building prefab houses for the typhoon victims, saying that the Chiayi county government has found a land lot alongside the Alishan Highway to build 42 of the prefabs. He said Chiayi County will need another 138 prefabs and expressed hope that the Chinese team will help with the construction. Jiang's group earlier visited a military barrack in southern Pingtung County serving as a temporary shelter for typhoon victims. The Chungcheng barrack is being used to temporarily house the victims from Laiyi and Taiwu townships while the Red Cross Society of the Republic of China helps with the construction of permanent homes and cares for the victims. Society Deputy Secretary-General Lin Hsiu-fang said the organization is planning to help with the reconstruction, including finding employment for the victims, caring for the elderly and ensuring that the children continue their education. In addition to the renovation of the 40 units in the barrack, an additional 50 prefab houses will be built, to be donated by China. Jiang noted that the Red Cross societies of China, Hong Kong and Macau have between them solicited nearly 200 million yuan in relief aid for the typhoon victims, and has distributed more than 21 million yuan so far. 'The trip to Taiwan is to understand the needs of the affected areas, ' Jiang said, adding that his organization will help with the reconstruction efforts in Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Chiayi counties. 