Gangdong-gu Provides Emergency Disaster Relief Fund of 1 Million Won to Local Childcare Centers

A total of 22 million KRW provided, with 1 million KRW each to 22 local children's centers operating in the area

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) is providing disaster relief funds of 1 million KRW per facility to 22 local children's centers in the area that are experiencing difficulties due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and continuous emergency care services.

Since last year, local children's centers have expanded service hours and operated emergency care services to minimize care gaps even during closures caused by COVID-19.

Although the emergency care situation was lifted after the closure ended on April 1, the system can be switched back to emergency care operation at any time depending on future social distancing level adjustments.

Accordingly, the district decided to provide disaster relief funds to centers that have faced operational cost shortages due to the emergency care system since last year, to ensure a stable care environment in case of future emergency care situations caused by the spread of COVID-19.

The funds will support additional operating costs due to increased operating hours, such as quarantine measures, online learning support, labor costs, and program operation, and will be paid within April to the currently operating local children's centers.

Lee Jeong-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, “Local children's centers have been operating thoroughly and safely without a single confirmed case within the facilities despite extended operating hours,” and added, “I hope this support fund will be of some help to the center directors and workers who continue to dedicate themselves to the children on the front lines of care despite the ongoing emergency care.”