Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the Chinese mainland and the international community for aid provided in Taiwan's typhoon disaster relief efforts.

Ma was speaking at a press conference on disaster relief in the wake of Typhoon Morakot.

Morakot left behind at least 127 confirmed deaths. During its course more than 500 villagers were buried alive in mudslides.

So far, the mainland had sent two consignments of relief to Taiwan, including more than 10,000 sleeping bags, 10,000 blankets, 1,000 sterilizers, and 100 prefabricated houses.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2009)