ID :
198055
Fri, 07/29/2011 - 11:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/198055
The shortlink copeid
Volunteers out in force to help with flood cleanup in S. Korea
(ATTN: UPDATES with latest number of volunteers in 4-5 paras)
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- Volunteers poured out across Seoul and nearby areas on Friday to help with cleanup and humanitarian efforts in the wake of the nation's record-breaking rainfall this week.
The downpours in Seoul have smashed the capital city's record for rainfall during the month of July, causing 59 deaths and leaving 10 missing as of early Friday after landslides and floods wreaked havoc across South Korea, according the disaster management agency.
Between Wednesday and Thursday, nearly 1,000 people, mostly Seoul citizens, worked to help clean up mud and debris in residential areas and roads in the southern part of the city, assisting homeowners and bringing in relief supplies, the Seoul Volunteer Center said.
On Friday alone, about 3,000 people were helping with cleanup efforts in eight districts, and they said they will continue to work through the weekend on restoration, the center said.
The number is expected to increase to 10,000 volunteers by Sunday, which would mark the largest number of volunteers to register with the city in a period of five days, it added.
A number of local firms, ranging from food companies, conglomerates and state entities, have offered food, beverages and other relief supplies, while others plan to enlist their employees to help clean up mud and drain water from residential areas.
The country's political parties also extended a helping hand to rescue workers and volunteers and vowed to provide compensation for flood victims.
The Grand National Party (GNP) canceled a Friday meeting so that some 300 party members, including party leader Hong Joon-pyo, could join the volunteer work in southern Seoul, including hillside villages devastated in a landslide.
The heaviest downpours in a century left about 10,000 people from 4,800 households in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province homeless, while more than 2,000 people in nearby Paju and other areas were evacuated from their homes because of fears of flooding, the state disaster agency said.
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- Volunteers poured out across Seoul and nearby areas on Friday to help with cleanup and humanitarian efforts in the wake of the nation's record-breaking rainfall this week.
The downpours in Seoul have smashed the capital city's record for rainfall during the month of July, causing 59 deaths and leaving 10 missing as of early Friday after landslides and floods wreaked havoc across South Korea, according the disaster management agency.
Between Wednesday and Thursday, nearly 1,000 people, mostly Seoul citizens, worked to help clean up mud and debris in residential areas and roads in the southern part of the city, assisting homeowners and bringing in relief supplies, the Seoul Volunteer Center said.
On Friday alone, about 3,000 people were helping with cleanup efforts in eight districts, and they said they will continue to work through the weekend on restoration, the center said.
The number is expected to increase to 10,000 volunteers by Sunday, which would mark the largest number of volunteers to register with the city in a period of five days, it added.
A number of local firms, ranging from food companies, conglomerates and state entities, have offered food, beverages and other relief supplies, while others plan to enlist their employees to help clean up mud and drain water from residential areas.
The country's political parties also extended a helping hand to rescue workers and volunteers and vowed to provide compensation for flood victims.
The Grand National Party (GNP) canceled a Friday meeting so that some 300 party members, including party leader Hong Joon-pyo, could join the volunteer work in southern Seoul, including hillside villages devastated in a landslide.
The heaviest downpours in a century left about 10,000 people from 4,800 households in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province homeless, while more than 2,000 people in nearby Paju and other areas were evacuated from their homes because of fears of flooding, the state disaster agency said.
