Hope Bridge supports around 97,000 neighbors vulnerable to heat waves, prepares for winter cold waves

[Financial News] Around 97,000 neighbors vulnerable to heat waves—including older adults living alone, residents of single-room tenements and outdoor workers—received care support such as inspections of cooling equipment, delivery of preventive supplies and welfare checks. Care services were provided through a nationwide volunteer network, with volunteers visiting homes and workplaces.
According to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association on the 14th, more than 200 organizations nationwide and around 7,000 volunteers took part in the “Care Network for Neighbors Vulnerable to Climate Disasters” project. Hope Bridge planned the project and provided 550 million won in funding to the Korea Central Volunteer Center, the implementing organization.
Volunteers visited homes, single-room housing neighborhoods, traditional markets and outdoor workplaces to provide support tailored to each person’s circumstances. They inspected aging cooling equipment for older adults living alone and residents of single-room tenements, checked on them and helped improve their indoor environments.
For older adults who collect waste paper and outdoor workers who could not avoid the blazing sun because of their livelihoods, volunteers visited their workplaces and delivered supplies to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Older adults are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses because their ability to sweat and regulate body temperature is diminished. People working in hot environments, such as construction sites and farms, also face a higher risk of heat-related illness.
Hope Bridge cited as key achievements identifying people who fall through the cracks outside the existing welfare system and providing preventive relief before harm occurs. It also highlighted maintaining ongoing care relationships by regularly checking on people, going beyond simply delivering supplies.
These achievements were presented at the “2026 Climate Disaster Response Integrated Volunteer Support Group Results-Sharing Meeting,” held on the 13th at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Around 100 people, including officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Korea Central Volunteer Center and volunteer centers nationwide, attended and discussed the results of responses to heavy rain and heat waves, as well as cooperation plans for preparing for winter cold waves.
Drawing on its experience responding to heat waves, Hope Bridge is preparing to support neighbors vulnerable to cold waves this winter. Shin Hoon, secretary-general of Hope Bridge, said, “We will continue to strengthen ties with local partner networks and expand the safety net that protects our neighbors, from summer heat-wave disasters through winter cold-wave disasters.”

[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter