Churches in Gyeongnam, Honam, and Gyeonggi Provinces Carry Out Flood Emergency Relief

Following an extended dry monsoon period and persistent drought, sudden heavy rains swept across various parts of South Korea from July 16 to 20. During this period, Sancheong County in South Gyeongsang Province recorded 632 millimeters of rainfall, leading to a rapid rise in river levels. The swollen rivers overflowed, flooding roads and homes. Landslides also occurred, causing significant damage to residential and commercial properties and resulting in casualties.

In response, starting on July 20, about 1,700 volunteers from the Church of God visited severely flood-affected areas over eight days to assist with recovery efforts. Homes and livelihoods swept away by floodwaters were buried in debris, and church members stepped in to help restore them.

In March, wildfires had severely damaged forests in Sancheong County, leaving few trees behind and making the area vulnerable. When heavy rains followed, soil erosion and mudslides caused even greater damage. Members from nearby cities — Changwon, Gimhae, Jinju, Tongyeong, and Geoje — visited eight villages in Sancheong and Hapcheon, both declared special disaster zones. They removed mud and waste from flood victims’ homes, cleaned household items, and helped repair greenhouses and livestock barns.

In Gwangju, in cooperation with local governments, church members supported seven vulnerable households in Sinan-dong, Buk-gu, affected by the floods. Members from across Gwangju came together to remove stained wallpaper and flooring, carefully cleaning walls and floors one by one. To prevent infectious diseases, they completed disinfection and pledged to assist with wallpapering and flooring installation once the walls have dried.

In Beomseo-eup, Ulsan, church members visited homes flooded by the overflowing river, moving wet belongings outside and cleaning interiors. Members in Dangjin joined forces with those in Seosan and Taean to help restore two affected households. In Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, members removed all flood-damaged items from the basement storage of a supermarket in Naegak-ri and thoroughly cleaned the space. Despite the sweltering midsummer heat blurring their vision with sweat, the members quietly continued their work, hoping their efforts would help heal the wounds of their neighbors. As they watched their homes return to normal, flood victims smiled in gratitude for the members’ hard work and dedication.

Kim Kyung-yeon, a member from Jinju, said, “I joined the volunteer work because I wanted to help and bring some comfort to neighbors who were suddenly affected by the disaster.” Seo Yong-gyu, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m thankful to the Church of God for standing with our citizens in their time of hardship. Your spirit of service reflects the warmth and care of a mother’s love.”

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