The Ongjin County Volunteer Center (Director Hong Deuk-pyo) announced on August 3 that it is in full swing with its "Wise Summer & Traveling Warmth-Charging Safety News" program, which kicked off in Jawol-myeon Township on July 31 to help residents of the county's island areas — who are especially vulnerable to extreme heat — stay healthy and safe through the summer.
 [The Korean Today] Wise Summer support activities for heat-vulnerable residents © Reporter Kim Mi-hee |
Because island areas are separated from the mainland, rapid response can be difficult even when a heat wave advisory is issued, and the relatively high proportion of elderly residents there means greater exposure to the risk of heat-related illness. The program was designed as a tailored heat wave response that takes these geographic and environmental characteristics of island regions into account, and it will continue throughout the intensive heat wave response period.
The program brings together local volunteer groups Green Smile Ongjin, Ban jjak Ban jjak Ongga-ne, and the Integrated Volunteer Support Group, each taking on a distinct role.
Among them, Ban jjak Ban jjak Ongga-ne, which involves six volunteer groups, is visiting households vulnerable to the heat directly. Volunteers deliver summer bedding and heat wave response supplies to the homes they visit, while also checking in on the wellbeing and health of elderly residents and others as part of hands-on, community-based care activities.
Green Smile Ongjin and the Integrated Volunteer Support Group are running energy-saving campaigns targeting residents and tourists and promoting guidelines on how to respond to extreme heat. As part of this effort, they plan to hand out fans printed with heat wave action guidelines to encourage the prevention of heat-related illness and the practice of everyday safety rules.
The center is also looking after the safety of the volunteers themselves as they carry out their activities in the heat. Volunteers deployed in the field will be provided with heat wave safety supplies such as neck coolers, handkerchiefs, and ionic sports drinks to strengthen on-site safety management during their activities.
Center Director Hong Deuk-pyo said, "We are continuing tailored, in-person support so that elderly residents and other locals in heat-vulnerable island areas can get through the summer safely and in good health." He added, "We will continue to expand volunteer activities that respond preemptively to seasonal disasters, and do our utmost to protect the safety and happiness of county residents."
Through this program, the Ongjin County Volunteer Center aims to extend heat wave response efforts to island areas with limited accessibility, and plans to continue expanding its volunteer system to address seasonal disaster situations going forward.
[ Reporter Kim Mi-hee: incheonsouth@thekoreantoday.com ]
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