Nationwide Organizations and Groups Continue Volunteer Activities in Yeongdeok Wildfire-Affected Areas

Over 150 Organizations and 2,500 Volunteers
Accelerating Recovery Efforts in Yeongdeok-gun

Various organizations and groups are extending helping hands to Yeongdeok-gun, which suffered major damage from a fire that broke out in Uiseong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, revitalizing recovery efforts.

The wildfire that started in Angye-myeon, Uiseong-gun on the 22nd of last month, was carried by strong winds and crossed into Yeongdeok-gun at around 5:54 p.m. on the 25th, burning 8,050 hectares in the area over four days and resulting in 21 casualties.

As a result, Yeongdeok-gun suffered significant losses, including 1,561 households, 218 stores, 46 vehicles, 1,188 agricultural machines, 28 fishing boats, and 109 hectares of crops.

Despite this record-breaking wildfire damage, more than 150 organizations and over 2,500 volunteers are currently carrying out volunteer activities in Yeongdeok-gun for recovery, sowing seeds of hope.

First, about 40 soldiers from the 5312th Unit Jangsa Battalion rolled up their sleeves to remove fire debris at two fish farms in Seok-ri, Yeongdeok-eup over two days, March 31 and April 1. Daegu Haany University also formed a volunteer group of about 30 faculty and students each day from April 2 to 4, helping organize various relief supplies sent from across the country and contributing to the recovery efforts.

Soldiers from the 5312th Unit's Quartermaster Battalion are carrying out volunteer work to remove wildfire debris. Provided by Yeongdeok County

In addition, organizations such as Korea Junior Chamber, Korea Christian Volunteer Corps, the Living Right Movement, and the Life Improvement Association are sweating it out for recovery. Medical institutions including Gyeongbuk Association of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, S Pohang Hospital, Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital, and Dongguk University Gyeongju Hospital are providing medical care to the victims. Meanwhile, organizations such as Gyeongbuk Disaster Psychological Support Center, National Trauma Center, Daegu Haany University Counseling Center, Pohang Trauma Center, and Gyeongbuk Mental Health Welfare Center are focusing on psychological treatment.

Daegu Haany University faculty, staff, and student volunteer group are conducting a goods organization volunteer activity. Provided by Yeongdeok County

With this support, Yeongdeok-gun is devoting itself to damage assessment, even forgoing weekends, and has set up an integrated support center for wildfire victims to provide counseling and tailored assistance programs to help them get back on their feet.

Governor Kim Kwangyeol said, "Thanks to the volunteers who have gathered from all over the country and the citizens who support us as if it were their own matter, we are overcoming the pain and accelerating wildfire recovery and victim support," adding, "We will repay the hope and courage you have sent us by showing you a recovering Yeongdeok even sooner."