Gyeonggi-do Provides 2.1 Billion KRW Disaster Management Fund in Advance for Heatwave Preparedness

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

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Gyeonggi Province will proactively provide 2.1 billion KRW from the provincial disaster management fund to cities and counties to protect outdoor workers exposed to heatwaves, field workers, and vulnerable groups such as elderly people living alone.

This support comes in response to the sharp increase in heat-related illnesses during the peak heatwave period from late July to August each year, aiming to strengthen preventive measures in vulnerable sectors. In fact, last year, 435 out of 683 heat-related illness cases in the province, accounting for 64%, occurred during this period.

Especially, workers at small-scale outdoor workplaces and field workers, who are vulnerable to safety risks, are easily exposed to sunlight and have difficulty hydrating in a timely manner, leading to a concentration of heat-related illnesses.

Gyeonggi Province plans to establish support measures tailored to each vulnerable sector and promptly allocate the funds in June after receiving project plans from cities and counties.

Kim Neung-sik, Director of the Safety Management Office, stated, "This year, the heat arrived earlier than usual and a more intense heatwave is forecasted. We have decided to proactively support vulnerable sectors with the disaster management fund to ensure the safety of residents."

In early March, ahead of the heatwave countermeasure period, Gyeonggi Province proactively provided 2 billion KRW from the disaster management fund to expand heatwave mitigation facilities (such as shade shelters and smart rest areas) at 1,343 locations including major crosswalks and bus stops with high pedestrian traffic.

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