Peace Winds Responds to Deadly South Korea Wildfires
On March 21, a series of wildfires broke out in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province. The situation escalated and the wildfires raged out of control, evolving into the worst ones on record in South Korea. They have burnt more than 118,000 acres in both South and North Gyeongsang Provinces, displacing more than 33,000 and killing 28 people.
Peace Winds Korea deployed a team right after the wildfires broke out, and staff have been carrying out a range of activities to provide emergency food, supplies, and other aid to evacuees and first responders, in partnership with the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (APAD). The team was later joined by three nurses from Peace Winds’ ARROWS disaster response team. Over the next week, they will consult with teams and evacuees to provide health advice and assess the need for medical supplies and pharmaceuticals at evacuation centers.
In the initial days, Peace Winds worked quickly to aid evacuees who had not yet been admitted to evacuation centers by providing meals, bottled water, and other emergency supplies. The team has also been coordinating with local authorities to supplement services at evacuation centers where there is insufficient support. Staff will continue to distribute emergency supplies to evacuees who have been displaced from their homes, including personal protective equipment, fresh clothing, and other supplies.
As firefighters worked to control the flames in the first crucial days, Peace Winds teams provided bottled water as well as clean clothes, towels, and other supplies to firefighters from the Korea Forest Service and other first responders. This was crucial as many residents cannot otherwise get clean clothing due to the lack of running water in the region. As the fires are contained, Peace Winds is ramping up its relief support for evacuees.
In the weeks and months ahead, Peace Winds will be carrying out a long-term initiative spanning both the emergency relief and recovery stages. Activities will include psychosocial support for evacuees before and during their transition out of evacuation centers. Part of the program will encompass a repeat of Peace Winds Korea’s “Spring Again” Initiative, which was first held after wildfires in 2022; teams arranged for professional photographers to take new family portraits for those who lost their photos.
Peace Winds will also explore long-term recovery initiatives to support the economic revitalization of communities affected by the wildfires, building on Peace Winds’ past work in this area. Activities will evolve as the needs and requests from local authorities, first responders, and affected people change.
To donate to Peace Winds’ relief work in South Korea, please use our donation form here and choose “Korea Wildfires” in the dropdown menu. We appreciate your continued support.
