23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
A mobile kitchen worker adds oil.

On September 23rd, 2025, a barrier lake in Hualien County burst, submerging the small township of Guangfu in mud and water. Within hours, volunteers poured in from across Taiwan: students, retirees, construction workers. They carried shovels, power tools, and supplies. No one waited for government orders; they simply did what needed to be done. Here, a mobile kitchen worker gives a sign of encouragement to the volunteers. The Taiwanese phrase for this is "Jia you," which can be literally translated as "add oil."

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: Guangfu, Taiwan
Camera: X-T5
Copyright: © Cahleen Hudson