785 Heatwave Mitigation Facilities and 1,593 Cooling Shelters
Blocking Predictable Disasters in Line with the Government's Safety-First Policy
On July 3, Gwangju City announced that it is strengthening its heat-related illness surveillance system and implementing customized protection measures for citizens vulnerable to the ongoing heatwave warnings.
The city has designated a total of 15 types of heatwave-sensitive individuals across four categories: physical, social, occupational, and economic. It is providing focused protection tailored to the characteristics of each category.
First, for physically vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with underlying health conditions, daily health checks are conducted by care workers, and cooling supplies are provided. Home health care services are offered to those with limited mobility. Socially vulnerable groups, including infants, pregnant women, individuals at risk of dying alone, and military personnel, are managed through an information and communication technology (ICT)-based real-time welfare check system.
For occupationally sensitive groups such as farmers, foreign workers, construction workers, and waste paper collectors, the city provides heatwave prevention kits and "Safe Shelter Coupons." In addition, drone monitoring and inspections of livestock and construction sites are being conducted. A "Resource Recycling Activity Team" for elderly waste paper collectors will also operate throughout August, offering alternative jobs and heatwave protection activities simultaneously. For economically vulnerable groups, including basic livelihood security recipients, homeless individuals, and residents of makeshift shelters, the city provides home health care services, cooling supplies, and emergency shelters.
Additionally, the city is operating 785 heatwave mitigation facilities, such as shade canopies and cooling fog (water mist spraying devices), and 1,593 cooling shelters. The city is also actively supporting cooling costs and water spraying truck operation expenses.
Kim Junyoung, Director of Citizen Safety, stated, "In line with the Lee Jaemyung administration's emphasis on safety, we are responding with the principle that any predictable disaster must be prevented," adding, "We will thoroughly prepare to ensure that no damage occurs due to carelessness or indifference."
Meanwhile, over the past three months, the city has conducted intensive inspections of 498 disaster-prone facilities, including aging buildings, bridges, and children's facilities, and completed corrective actions such as repairs and reinforcements at 276 locations. In addition, a "Natural Disaster Preparedness Task Force" has been formed to strengthen on-site inspections of flood- and landslide-prone areas, and joint resident-participation drills are also being conducted.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
