Cooling Vests and Safety Supplies Delivered to Elderly Waste Collectors
Comprehensive Survey on Elderly Welfare Needs, Full Effort to Eliminate Welfare Blind Spots
Gijang-gun, Busan (Governor Jung Jongbok) is taking measures to ensure the safety of elderly individuals engaged in collecting recyclable paper amid the ongoing heatwave.
With concerns rising over residents' health and safety due to the prolonged and record-breaking heatwave, the county will deliver "heatwave safety supply kits" to 24 households of elderly paper collectors who are in welfare blind spots.
The heatwave safety supply kits consist of six items: a cooling vest (ice vest), cooling towel (cool scarf), cool sleeves, bamboo salt candy (salted glucose), safety gloves, and a bag. These are expected to help elderly paper collectors protect their health and ensure safe outdoor activities during the heatwave.
Earlier this year, the county identified the current status of elderly paper collectors through the "Comprehensive Survey Plan for Elderly Paper Collectors" and has been providing detailed welfare services to improve their safety and working conditions.
In particular, through face-to-face and phone consultations with the elderly, the county is conducting individual welfare needs assessments and guiding those interested to senior job programs, matching jobs to their needs and abilities, with the goal of achieving "zero welfare blind spots."
Governor Jung Jongbok stated, "During this year's unprecedented heatwave, elderly paper collectors are exposed to heat-related illnesses without sufficient protection, and their health and safety are of serious concern. We will implement thorough heatwave measures to ensure that elderly individuals in welfare blind spots can have a healthy and cool summer."
The county has also stocked 2,600 bottles of water daily in water-sharing refrigerators at eight locations, including Gijang Market, the county office, health centers, and town offices, to help residents suffering from the heat quench their thirst and prevent heat-related illnesses.
In collaboration with volunteers, the county is distributing cold water to merchants at Gijang Market and conducting campaigns to prevent heat-related illnesses, focusing on practical, community-based heatwave measures.
Additionally, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Kori Nuclear Power Headquarters (Director Lee Gwanghun) is supporting residents' efforts to stay cool during the summer by providing 30,000 bottles of water.
Jongbok Jeong, mayor of Gijang County (left), is inspecting safety supplies distributed to elderly paper collectors.
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