Hope Bridge Visits Wildfire-Stricken Yeongyang County to Support Return to Daily Life with Care Activities

Support for Wildfire Victims Continues Through November
Customized Heatwave Prevention Kits Delivered
Korean Medicine Services Including Acupuncture and Basic Medicine Provided

The Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association announced on July 13 that it carried out the first round of its "Hope Connection" continuous care project for disaster-affected households in Yeongyang County, Gyeongbuk, over two days on July 11 and 12. This area suffered devastating wildfires last year, resulting in many residents losing their homes and livelihoods.

Launched in 2012, the Hope Connection initiative is a mid- to long-term continuous care program that supports neighbors affected by disasters such as wildfires and floods, accompanying them until they are fully able to return to their daily lives. Beneficiaries are selected through recommendations from local governments and other channels. To date, the program has supported over 760 households across 23 regions nationwide.

Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association announced on the 13th that it will visit Yeongyang County, Gyeongbuk, which suffered damage from a massive wildfire earlier last year, to carry out the continuous care project called '2026 Hope Connection.' Photo by Hope Bridge

This year, Yeongyang County—one of the areas hardest hit by wildfires last year—was selected as the target region. Approximately 40 volunteers participated in the activities. They assisted 90 households of wildfire victims, including those currently residing in temporary housing such as the Hope House facilities provided by Hope Bridge, as well as families preparing to return to their regular lives after leaving temporary accommodations. The activities in Yeongyang County are scheduled to take place in three sessions, with the final one planned for November.

On the first day of activities, volunteers visited each household to deliver customized heatwave prevention kits containing daily necessities, food, and health supplements. Additionally, groups of professional construction volunteers inspected the interior and exterior walls of each home and carried out repairs to improve residential conditions.

On the second day, Korean medicine medical volunteers provided services to wildfire victims, including acupuncture treatments and the distribution of basic medicines. A snack truck was also operated to offer refreshments to residents and volunteers coping with the heat. Volunteers extended emotional support by holding neighbors’ hands, checking in on their wellbeing, and monitoring their psychological state.

B, a 78-year-old wildfire victim currently living in Hope House, said, "I am deeply grateful that they remembered us and came back even after all this time." Shin Hoon, Secretary General of Hope Bridge, stated, "We will continue to stand by our neighbors in temporary housing, preventing social isolation and supporting them until the very last moment of their return to daily life."

The Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association is the nation’s only legally designated disaster relief fundraising organization, established in 1961 through a joint effort by media companies and social organizations across Korea. Whenever a disaster occurs, Hope Bridge is the first to reach the scene, delivering relief supplies and donations to affected residents and assisting them as they work to restore their everyday lives.

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