On June 23, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government urgently provided 2 billion won from the provincial disaster relief fund to cities and counties to prevent heat-related illnesses among vulnerable groups, such as mobile workers and outdoor laborers.
According to the details of the support, 240 million won was allocated as a budget to provide bottled water, fans, and cooling sleeves to substitute drivers, delivery workers, and other mobile workers who use rest areas.
In addition, 340 million won will be used to provide cooling scarves, cooling sleeves, and cooling sprays to outdoor workers at small construction sites and farm workers to prevent heat-related illnesses. Furthermore, 1.42 billion won will be provided for items to prevent heatstroke?such as fans and parasols?for socially and economically vulnerable groups including elderly people living alone, as well as for cooling costs and cleaning and repair expenses for air conditioners at cooling centers.
Lee Jongdon, Director of Safety Management at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, stated, "Due to the heat arriving earlier than usual this year, there are concerns about the occurrence of heat-related illnesses among vulnerable groups. We have decided to provide the disaster relief fund preemptively to help reduce damage caused by the heat wave."
Meanwhile, 70% of heat-related illness cases in the province last year occurred from late July to August.
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