| Flood recovery | Gwangju disaster | Shincheonji Church | Volunteer work | Heatwave | Elderly support |
💡 Key Points at a Glance
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📍 Over 1,300 property damage reports in Gwangju due to 536.1mm of heavy rainfall
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🧼 Shincheonji Volunteer Group cleaned flooded homes, village halls, and businesses
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🤝 Focused help for the elderly and flood-stricken single households
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🌡️ Recovery efforts continued despite heatwave warnings
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🧑🔧 Volunteers offered detailed and thorough cleanup that deeply moved locals
🌧️ Disaster Strikes Gwangju and Jeonnam
In neighboring Jeonnam, the situation wasn’t any better. Around 300,000 livestock perished, nearly 7,800 hectares of farmland were submerged, and many homes were partially or completely destroyed. Hilly areas like Damyang saw landslides and rivers overflow, causing even more chaos and forcing residents to evacuate.
🧤 Shincheonji Volunteers Move Fast — With Heart
As soon as the floodwaters started to recede, volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group’s Gwangju branch jumped into action.
On July 18th, just hours after receiving a call from the Buk-gu Volunteer Center, teams arrived at Yongho Village to begin restoration. This wasn’t a simple mop-and-bucket job — the village hall, used as a cooling shelter for the elderly, had been completely flooded and caked in mud.
🪣 The volunteers cleaned, ventilated, and disinfected the space to make it livable again. They knew that with heatwave alerts expected right after the flood, restoring the community's resting place was urgent.
🔧 Sweat, Strength, and Support
Efforts continued daily. On July 20th, they headed to a hardware wholesaler in Damyang, where metal tools and materials were soaked in dirty water. The volunteers dried the materials using cloth and blowers, sorted everything by hand, and reinforced the floors.
The very next day, July 21st, their work shifted to a flood-damaged home belonging to an elderly person living alone. Water had reached waist-level inside the house, ruining electronics and furniture. The team cleaned every room, sorted what could be saved, and hauled out everything else. Despite narrow hallways and intense heat, they didn't stop until everything was back in order. 💪
❤️ Recovery That Touched Hearts
One of the flood victims shared,
“I was overwhelmed and didn’t even know where to start. But these volunteers treated my situation like their own. They didn’t just help—they gave me back my peace of mind.”
Another added,
“They worked so cleanly and efficiently. I didn’t have to go back and fix anything. I felt truly cared for.”
A representative from the Gwangju branch emphasized:
“This is a time for fast action. We're prioritizing flood recovery as our top mission until the 31st. If anyone needs help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.”
🔄 Ongoing Commitment Until the Last Home is Clean
The Gwangju branch plans to continue working in close cooperation with local governments and relief groups to ensure every affected resident in Gwangju and Jeonnam gets the support they need. Manpower and equipment will keep flowing in until the very last home is restored and families can feel safe again.
✅ Summary
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The Shincheonji Volunteer Group didn’t just show up — they stayed, working tirelessly in the heat and mud to help neighbors.
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Their efforts were deeply appreciated by locals who were overwhelmed by the disaster.
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With a spirit of unity and selfless care, they reminded everyone that hope isn’t washed away — it’s rebuilt, together. 🙌
📌 Hashtags
#ShincheonjiVolunteerGroup #GwangjuFloodRecovery #ManHeeLee #HelpingHandsInCrisis #TogetherWeRebuild