Chungnam Provides 'Cold Wave Response Support' for Heating-Vulnerable Groups Including Elderly Households

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province will provide cold wave response support targeting heating-vulnerable groups such as elderly households in the region.

On the 30th, the province announced protection measures for heating-vulnerable groups related to the cold wave. The measures are being implemented to protect vulnerable groups struggling due to increased heating costs and consecutive cold waves.

First, the province will invest 7.6 billion KRW from the disaster relief fund to support about 4,600 cold wave shelters such as senior centers with 200,000 KRW each (totaling 920 million KRW).

For about 66,000 households receiving the National Basic Livelihood Security benefits, 100,000 KRW per household (totaling 6.66 billion KRW) will be provided to help reduce the burden of heating costs.

In particular, 20,829 elderly households will have 2,034 care workers visit on-site or check their health status regularly by phone.

Additionally, the province will invest 700 million KRW to install cold wave mitigation facilities such as windproof installations at bus stops.

The province’s cold wave response support is conducted separately from the government’s energy voucher program.

Jo Dae-ho, Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau, said, “The economic difficulties of vulnerable groups are increasing due to the cold wave combined with a surge in energy prices. The province will focus administrative efforts on promoting cold wave response support projects for vulnerable groups and preparing additional countermeasures.”