Chungnam Wildfire Damage Estimated at 4.68 Billion Won... "Speeding Up Support for Disaster Victims"

by Jeong Ilwoong

Published 10 Apr.2023 16:15(KST)

Preliminary estimates indicate that the wildfire that occurred in Chungnam on the 2nd caused property damage amounting to 4.68 billion KRW.

Disaster victims affected by the wildfire are resting their weary bodies at a temporary shelter (disaster relief shelter) set up at Seobu Elementary School in Yanggok-ri, Seobu-myeon, Hongseong, Chungnam. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Chungnam Province on the 10th, the wildfire broke out simultaneously on the 2nd in five cities and counties: Hongseong, Boryeong, Geumsan, Dangjin, and Buyeo.

As of 6 p.m. on the 9th, the first damage survey shows that facility damage is tentatively estimated at 205 locations, including 74 houses, 98 agricultural and livestock facilities, and 33 other buildings.

In addition, livestock losses include 850 pigs, 3 cattle, 80,000 laying hens, and 300 goats, totaling 81,153 animals. The damaged forest area is identified as 1,657 hectares.

By region, Hongseong suffered the largest damage area at 1,454 hectares, followed by Boryeong with 70 hectares, Dangjin with 68 hectares, Geumsan with 40 hectares, and Buyeo with 15 hectares.

The wildfire also displaced 89 people across 54 households who lost their homes. By region, Hongseong had the highest number of displaced persons with 67 people in 44 households, followed by Boryeong with 13 people in 7 households, and Buyeo with 9 people in 3 households.

Among these displaced persons, 41 are currently staying in temporary housing facilities, while others are living with relatives or elsewhere.

Fortunately, the five cities and counties in Chungnam, including Hongseong, have been designated as special disaster zones by the government, enabling them to receive support.

With the special disaster zone declaration, displaced persons can receive living safety support funds (70% national funding, 30% local funding) for livelihood expenses, housing costs, and relief expenses. Local governments can also undertake damage recovery support fully funded by the national government (100%).

Displaced persons receive a livelihood allowance of 1.62 million KRW per month for a four-person household, based on the income loss of the main household earner. Housing support includes 16 million KRW for completely destroyed homes, 8 million KRW for partially damaged homes, and 6 million KRW for tenants.

Additionally, support includes reductions in health insurance premiums, discounts on electricity, water, sewage, and communication bills, as well as tax deferrals on national taxes, local tax reductions, loans for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, and loans for disaster-related home repair and purchase. These are part of tax and financial assistance.

In particular, the province plans to waive deposits and support rent for up to two years through the disaster relief fund for displaced persons wishing to move into LH public rental housing.

For those desiring temporary prefabricated housing, up to 40 million KRW (based on a 24㎡ unit) will be provided free of charge.

The damage scale identified so far is a preliminary tally based on initial surveys by the cities and counties. The province plans to conduct second and third rounds of surveys with the government by the 17th of this month.

Meanwhile, the province also plans to raise funds for wildfire damage recovery. Since there are limits to the support that the government, province, and cities/counties can provide (due to regulatory restrictions), they intend to seek public donations to help cover the shortfall in recovery support.

Kim Ki-young, Vice Governor of the province, stated, “We will devise multifaceted support measures to restore the property damage and heal the wounds of residents affected by the wildfire. The donations collected from many people will be coordinated with the Chungnam Community Chest and local governments to ensure they are used to address support blind spots.”