Disaster relief for wildfire victims, supporting recovery in flood-affected areas

Victims of wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province have visited the flood-affected area in Sancheong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province to support recovery efforts, as a way to repay the help they received from the community.

On the 22nd, Kyunghyang Shinmun reported on the story of Kim Nam-soo (58), the head of the wildfire victims' task force in Yeongyang, who, along with 12 residents affected by the wildfires, set out for Sancheong-gun early that morning with a one-ton truck carrying a small excavator.

According to the report, their visit aims to assist flood victims who have suffered significant damage due to heavy rainfall.

Kim stated, "I lost my house, orchards, and livestock due to the wildfire in March. The sense of despair then is indescribable," and added, "Hearing about the flooding in Sancheong-gun, I felt it was not someone else's problem. I decided to join a few residents to offer even a small amount of help."

After driving approximately 250 kilometers, the residents of Yeongyang arrived in Buri Village, Sancheong-eup, and immediately participated in recovery work.

Despite sweltering heat exceeding 32 degrees Celsius, they worked with excavators and shovels to clear debris and muddy household items that had inundated the residential area.

Kim mentioned, "We came down for a two-day schedule, but the situation is more serious than I expected," and added, "We decided to extend our stay by another day to continue the recovery work."

He also noted, "The residents of Buri Village kindly prepared lunch for us during this hard time," saying, "I explained to them that I am very interested in temporary housing for the victims. We exchanged stories about fleeing without being able to carry anything, whether from wildfires or floods, providing and receiving comfort."

About 20 residents from Andong and Uiseong, also affected by the wildfires, set out for Sancheong-gun that afternoon.

Residents from Cheongsong and Yeongdeok have also committed to participating in volunteer activities, and residents from five cities and counties affected by the North Gyeongsang Province wildfires are scheduled to visit Sancheong-gun in succession to support disaster recovery.

The wildfire victims' task force in North Gyeongsang has decided to provide a total of ten dump trucks and small excavators to Sancheong-gun.

Lee Sang-hak, the village head of Dapgok 2-ri in Seokbo-myeon, Yeongyang County, stated, "We have faced a fire disaster, but how difficult it must be for those experiencing flooding," expressing his hope that they can provide at least a little help.

Oh Do-chang, the mayor of Yeongyang County, said, "I extend my gratitude to the Yeongyang wildfire task force, which has stepped forward for the pain of our neighbors," and offered deep condolences to the residents of Sancheong-gun, who have faced flooding before the scars of the wildfires have even healed.

Image source: Yeongyang County, reference photos for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank