Allison H.L. Hsu, took up a new role as the leader of Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in the Marshall Islands on November 15, 2016. She is the first female leader since 1959, when the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) dispatched the first TTM to Vietnam. With a background in agricultural economics and as a long-time employee of the TaiwanICDF, Hsu was responsible for diverse governmental foreign aid projects and has extensive experience in all aspects of the organization. As the first female mission leader in the Marshall Islands, Hsu is sure to bring a unique approach and model towards overseas assistance work.

The TaiwanICDF implements more than 80 overseas assistance projects every year, covering a variety of contemporary development issues such as agriculture, public health and medicine, environment, education and ICT in a range of developing partner countries. The TaiwanICDF has maintained residential technical missions in the Pacific island states to provide various forms of assistance. For example, the TTM is currently implementing projects on horticulture and nutrition in the Marshall Islands to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes in Marshall Islands. Through this project, the TTM has established sustainable production of local vegetables and fruits in the fragile island to help improve the health of Marshall Islanders. They also cooperate with local wellness centers and other non-governmental organizations to promote agri-products and cooking demonstrations by holding farmers’ markets twice a month. Nowadays, the farmers’ market has become a popular activity where the TTM and other personnel stationed in the Marshall Islands can interact with local residents.

As the new TTM leader, Hsu will continue to improve on the work of the TTM, and further add in elements of green concept and zero waste to the projects that take into account ecologically sustainable development. Hsu’s arrival will bring a softer side and an assertive strength to the cooperation between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands, highlighting the distinctiveness and value of Taiwan’s overseas technical cooperation.

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• Update: 2018/03/05
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