Jeonnam Province Focuses on Overcoming Disaster Crisis Amid Abnormal Climate Events

Operation of the Region's First "Village Safety Keepers"
Significance of a Resident-Centered Disaster Prevention System
Proactive Response to Heavy Rainfall and Landslides
Preemptive Monitoring of Flood-Prone and High-Risk Areas
Roles Include Emergency Measures and Evacuation Assistance

The flood and typhoon recovery efforts by the Autonomous Disaster Prevention Group operated by Yeongam County. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeonnam Province will launch the "Jeonnam-style Village Safety Keepers" program for the first time this year in response to the recent surge in localized heavy rainfall, landslides, and other abnormal climate disasters.

The Jeonnam-style Village Safety Keepers are local residents who are most familiar with the realities of their communities. They will directly monitor disaster-prone areas and facilities, and work with the provincial government to prevent casualties by taking immediate action to protect those with limited mobility, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, before they are exposed to danger.

Jeonnam Province plans to select disaster-prone villages in 22 cities and counties, organizing safety keepers centered around the Autonomous Disaster Prevention Group and village heads, and to establish a collaborative system with public officials and local police stations.

The main duties of the Village Safety Keepers include: ▲ conducting preemptive monitoring and emergency measures in areas at risk of flooding or landslides; ▲ assisting with the evacuation of the elderly, people with disabilities, and others in need; ▲ operating village shelters and providing one-on-one management for evacuees.

Township and neighborhood leaders will issue real-time instructions via telephone or group chats on social networking services (SNS), and will immediately share weather and on-site situation updates.

Jeonnam Province, together with the cities and counties, plans to invest more than 900 million won from the disaster management fund to provide an activity allowance of 50,000 won per day to the Village Safety Keepers.

By providing at least basic cost compensation to residents dedicated to local safety, the province expects to further encourage disaster prevention activities. Cities and counties with outstanding performance will also receive incentives in the form of equipment and operating expenses.

Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, stated, "As the scale and speed of disasters increase due to abnormal weather events, a community-based response system involving both the public and private sectors is more important than ever," adding, "We will work closely with cities and counties to protect the lives and property of our residents."