Hope Bridge Delivers Heatwave and Infectious Disease Response Kits to Jjokbangchon Residents

A Hope Bridge employee is visiting a jjokbangchon and explaining the contents of the kit. Hope Bridge

Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association (President Song Pilho) announced on the 24th that, as the heatwave continues after heavy rains, it has begun protecting vulnerable groups by delivering "Heatwave and Infectious Disease Response Kits" to major jjokbangchon (small room villages) in Seoul.

The kits delivered this time are designed to help people protect their health in daily life against summer climate disasters. Each package contains a total of 14 items for heatwave response and infectious disease prevention, including a cool mat, cooling fan, hand fan, blackout rain umbrella, hand sanitizer, saline glucose, and multivitamins.

This support was provided mainly through jjokbangchon counseling centers in areas particularly vulnerable to heatwaves, such as Jung-gu near Seoul Station and Yeongdeungpo.

According to an analysis by the Big Data Analysis Team of the Urban Information Office at the Seoul Institute, Jung-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu are classified as high-risk areas where multiple heatwave vulnerability factors overlap. These areas are densely populated with people experiencing homelessness and jjokbangchon residents, making them particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

A Hope Bridge staff member is visiting the jjokbangchon (small room village) in Jung-gu, Seoul, delivering heatwave and infectious disease response kits. Hope Bridge

Yoo Hoyoun, director of the Seoul Station Jjokbangchon Counseling Center, said, "Support has decreased compared to previous years, so we are truly grateful that such well-prepared kits were delivered in a timely manner. The residents are very pleased."

Kim Jeongsuk (born in 1939), a senior who received the kit, said, "It's so hot that I can't even eat, and I have headaches and dizziness every day. In winter, at least I can cover myself with a blanket, but the summer heat is really hard to endure." Upon hearing this on site, Ko Sunghoon, a team leader at the Seoul Station Jjokbangchon Counseling Center, immediately checked her health condition and requested a medical consultation.

Shin Hoon, Secretary-General of Hope Bridge, stated, "A heatwave is a disaster, and those who suffer first are our neighbors in vulnerable environments such as jjokbangchon. We will continue to ensure that we reach those in urgent need of social protection at the most critical moments."

To respond to this summer's heatwave and infectious diseases, Hope Bridge has supported a total of 12,138 "Heatwave and Infectious Disease Response Kits" worth 500 million won for disaster-vulnerable groups nationwide.