Gwanak-gu Launches Full-Scale Operation of 'Flood Disaster Vulnerable Companion Partner' to Minimize Damage During Monsoon Season

On the 9th, a launch ceremony for about 700 participants active this year and training for capacity building held
Establishment of a support system utilizing private resources for disaster-vulnerable individuals who have difficulty self-evacuating in emergencies such as flooding
Rapid situation communication and evacuation support for disaster-vulnerable households through teams of Donghaeng Partners and care public officials

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is stepping up efforts to create a safe Gwanak by operating the ‘Flood Disaster Vulnerable Companion Partners’ again this year to minimize damage caused by the upcoming summer monsoon season.

The ‘Flood Disaster Vulnerable Companion Partners’ is a resident collaboration group formed to prevent human damage among 321 vulnerable households in the district, including ▲people with severe disabilities ▲elderly residents living in semi-basement homes.

The companion partners respond from the flood forecast stage by visiting the sites to check on the safety of vulnerable residents and assist in their swift evacuation, playing a crucial role in the flood safety network to prevent tragic casualties from flood damage.

Since last year, the district has systematically operated care services for vulnerable residents by organizing the ‘Flood Disaster Vulnerable Companion Partners,’ and this year, about 700 companion partners composed of public officials and civilians will be active.

This year, the district matches about four companion partners per vulnerable household, including ▲care public officials ▲neighborhood leaders familiar with local conditions ▲neighboring residents living nearby. They plan to strengthen the communication system so that they can build mutual trust through continuous contact in normal times and enable quick information sharing and response during disasters.

When flood warnings or alerts are issued, the ‘care public officials’ quickly relay weather information to companion partners (neighborhood leaders, neighboring residents) through emergency contact systems such as phone calls and KakaoTalk. The ‘companion partners’ will immediately visit the vulnerable households upon receiving the contact to inspect flood prevention facilities such as water barriers and backflow prevention devices and assist evacuation if necessary.

Meanwhile, on the 9th, the district held a launch ceremony for the ‘Flood Disaster Vulnerable Companion Partners’ attended by about 300 people, including companion partners and Mayor Park Jun-hee, to strengthen their capabilities and raise their sense of responsibility.

The ceremony began with a video introducing the ‘Gwanak-gu Comprehensive Flood and Wind Disaster Measures,’ followed by training on activity guidelines during crisis alerts, serving as a time to reaffirm their responsibilities as companion partners.

In particular, they read a pledge to do their utmost to protect the lives and safety of vulnerable residents, shouted safety slogans together, and performed a banner performance, reaffirming their determination to make Gwanak safe from flood damage.

Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “It is important that all residents unite at the flood sites to help affected neighbors as if it were their own matter and extend rescue hands.” He added, “I thank the companion partners for their kind participation for their neighbors, and we will do our best to make Gwanak safe not only for vulnerable residents but for all residents.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.