Over 450,000 Relief Items Delivered to 65 Areas in Three Provinces
5.9 Tons of Laundry and 9,805 Meals Provided to Disaster Victims and Firefighters
A Hope Bridge official is providing meal support for firefighters at the Sancheong County Fire Headquarters in Gyeongnam. Hope Bridge
The Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association (Chairman Song Pil-ho) announced on the 10th that it has swiftly responded to the wildfires that occurred in Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam since the end of March by providing a total of over 450,000 relief items to 65 areas across 3 cities and provinces by the 9th, and has carried out various on-site emergency relief efforts including operating laundry vehicles and providing meals.
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of the 10th, more than 48,000 hectares have been affected by this wildfire, with the number of deaths and injuries exceeding 82, marking it as an unprecedented disaster.
Hope Bridge entered an emergency work system with all staff starting March 22, when the wildfire began to spread. Emergency relief kits, corporate relief kits, relief tents, bottled water, and other supplies were urgently shipped from the Hamyang and Paju disaster relief logistics centers to begin the response. The supported items include ▲1,586 emergency relief kits (29,424 items) ▲7,088 corporate relief kits ▲2,095 relief tents ▲2,056 floor mats ▲over 330,000 essential daily items (bottled water, underwear, blankets, clothing, ready meals, etc.), totaling over 450,000 items.
Laundry support activities are being carried out for disaster victims who have difficulty washing clothes at a temporary shelter set up in Uiseong Gymnasium, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk. Hope Bridge
Hope Bridge supported the washing of essential daily items such as blankets, clothing, curtains, and towels, totaling 5.9 tons, for disaster victims who had difficulty washing clothes and bedding in major wildfire-affected areas including Sancheong in Gyeongnam, Uiseong County in Gyeongbuk, and Andong City in Gyeongbuk. The laundry support activities involved a special mobile laundry vehicle produced with sponsorship from Hyundai Motor Group. This 5.5-ton vehicle equipped with large washing machines and dryers is a disaster-specialized vehicle that has been consistently used to maintain hygiene and help restore daily life for disaster victims not only in wildfires but also in floods, earthquakes, and other disaster situations.
Hope Bridge operated lunch boxes and meal trucks for firefighters and wildfire suppression teams dedicated to extinguishing the wildfires. A total of 9,805 meals were prepared and provided on-site.
A Hope Bridge official is moving relief supplies at Uiseong Gymnasium in Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk. Hope Bridge
The unprecedented wildfire damage news gathered warm hearts from the public. Hope Bridge announced, "Through the emergency fundraising for this wildfire damage, a total of about 38.7 billion KRW has been raised as of the 9th." The donation procession included numerous individuals and companies, as well as celebrities such as the group Seventeen, BTS Jungkook, singer Jennie, IU, and broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk, who sent messages of support so that the affected residents can return to their daily lives as soon as possible.
Song Pil-ho, chairman of Hope Bridge, said, "This wildfire has a wider damage range than expected and is expected to take a long time to recover," adding, "Hope Bridge will stay by the side of the affected neighbors until the end and will continue to pay attention so that the warm hearts of the people can be properly delivered."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
