Protecting Vulnerable Groups During Summer Heatwaves

In response to the extreme summer heat, the government has implemented measures to protect vulnerable groups, including the elderly, homeless, and residents of shantytowns. These initiatives are part of a comprehensive "Summer Civilian and Safety Measures" plan announced on the 30th by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, led by Minister Cho Kyu-hong.

The Ministry is prioritising the identification and support of households at risk during the summer heat. By utilising big data from the social security information system (Haengbok-eum), they plan to identify approximately 20,000 households facing challenges such as extreme heat and heavy rainfall from July to September. This data will be expanded to include information on overdue maintenance fees for office buildings, adding to the existing 45 types of crisis indicators.

Local governments will conduct outreach welfare consultations and strengthen connections with community-based welfare resources. The "Welfare Crisis Alert App," launching in late June, will enable citizens to report welfare crises for themselves or their neighbours, facilitating the identification of at-risk households.

Customised support for vulnerable groups will also be enhanced. For instance, meal provision at 58,000 senior centres will be gradually increased from 3-4 days a week to 5 days. Additional funding includes 3.8 billion won for grains, 25.3 billion won for food supplies, and 26,000 personnel to assist with meal services for the elderly.

To protect seniors from extreme heat, ongoing health and safety checks will be conducted for approximately 550,000 elderly individuals using the tailored elderly care service, especially during heatwave warnings. The Emergency Safety and Security Service will monitor 270,000 households using ICT devices to detect and respond to emergencies promptly.

Furthermore, the operational hours of 46,000 senior centres designated as cooling shelters will be extended from 6 PM to 9 PM, and local governments are encouraged to allow non-members to use these facilities. Children at risk of malnutrition will receive continuous meal support during the summer vacation through various methods, including group meals, general restaurants, meal delivery services, and meal cards.

For the homeless and shantytown residents, joint response teams consisting of central, local, and related agencies (police, fire departments, homeless facilities) will be established to ensure swift action. These teams will provide cooling shelters, emergency sleeping arrangements, and cooling supplies, with increased patrols to enhance on-site response.

Finally, the Ministry will support additional cooling costs and ensure safety management. From July to August, 69,000 registered and 1,676 unregistered senior centres will receive 175,000 won per month for cooling costs. Social welfare facilities will receive 100,000-500,000 won per month based on their size. Additionally, safety inspections and disaster preparedness checks will be conducted at over 20,000 social welfare facilities and 790 hospitals nationwide.

Minister Cho Kyu-hong emphasised, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare is committed to implementing thorough protection measures for vulnerable groups during heatwaves and ensuring robust safety checks to prepare for summer disasters like typhoons and floods."

These measures highlight the government's efforts to provide targeted support and ensure the well-being of those most at risk during the challenging summer months.

08/01/2024