Church of God Members From Western and Southern Gyeongsangnam Church Associations Carry Out Emergency Flood Recovery in Geoje and Tongyeong

From August 15 to 18, torrential rain battered southern South Korea. Geoje and Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province recorded unprecedented cumulative rainfall of 968 mm and 779 mm, respectively. About 90% of the region’s average summer rainfall fell in just four days, triggering flooding and landslides across the region.

In response, church members from the Western and Southern Gyeongsangnam Church Associations, including Geoje, Tongyeong, Changwon, Jinju, Sacheon, Hamyang, and Geochang, carried out emergency flood recovery work for three days beginning August 18. In coordination with local authorities, they prioritized the hardest-hit areas and helped residents restore their daily lives. A cumulative total of approximately 930 church members participated over the three days.

The volunteers helped clean up 49 homes, three farms, and two daycare centers in areas including Okpo-dong and Irun-myeon in Geoje, as well as Bongjeon and Haeran villages in Tongyeong. Despite the sweltering heat, church members formed lines to carry water-damaged furniture and electrical appliances out of buildings. With help from nearby schools that still had running water, they washed mud-covered household items. They also shoveled out mud and sediment that had accumulated inside buildings, removed soaked floor coverings, and thoroughly cleaned the affected areas. They also cleared debris from shops, underground parking garages, nursing homes, and other places closely connected to residents’ daily lives. At a hilltop home that trucks and excavators could not reach, volunteers filled sacks with earth and carried them away by hand.

Residents were stunned by the sudden disaster. Lee Gwang-ja, 88, of Tongyeong, recalled the frightening experience: “With a thunderous roar, earth came crashing down behind my house. I evacuated in such a hurry that I didn’t even realize I had been injured.” She added, “I’ve lived in this house for more than 50 years and have never experienced anything like this. I felt helpless, but I’m simply grateful that people came all this way to help.” Kim Yong-gu of Geoje, who runs an orchid farm, said, “My greenhouse was flooded in an instant, ruining the orchids I had spent more than a decade growing. It’s heartbreaking, but the volunteers who helped with the recovery work have given me some strength.”

Tongyeong Mayor Kang Seok-ju, who visited the recovery site, encouraged the volunteers, saying, “More than anything, flood recovery requires helping hands. Having so many church members come from different areas to help has been a tremendous help.” Geoje City Council Member Han Eun-jin also expressed her appreciation, saying, “The Church of God has set an example by volunteering for three consecutive days and bringing positive energy to local residents.” The Western and Southern Gyeongsangnam Church Associations will continue to coordinate with local authorities and provide timely support.

The Church of God is working to prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters through its “Build Hope” campaign. This flood recovery effort was also part of the campaign. Lee Chi-heon, a church member from Changwon who took the day off work to volunteer, said, “When I took part in flood recovery work in Sancheong last year, I realized that every helping hand, no matter how small, is desperately needed. I hope our neighbors affected by the disaster will not lose hope and can get back on their feet.”

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