Donation of 100 Million KRW to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association

In April, due to the continued drought, large wildfires broke out across the country: Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province, Suncheon and Hampyeong in South Jeolla Province, Daejeon, Okcheon in North Chungcheong Province, and Hongseong and Geumsan in South Chungcheong Province. Many victims who lost their homes in an instant are still suffering, living in temporary housing without being able to return to their daily lives even after the wildfire is extinguished.

On September 4, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation delivered 100 million KRW to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association(hereinafter referred to as Hope Bridge) to help wildfire victims. The donation ceremony was held at the Hope Bridge Headquarters in Mapo-gu, Seoul, being attended by officials such as Hope Bridge Chairman Song Pil-ho and Secretary General Kim Jeong-hee. The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation Director Lee Seung-eon said, “I hope that Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah’s love and comfort will be conveyed to the hearts of the victims.” The members of Hope Bridge said, “The wide range of volunteer services of WeLoveU led by Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah is amazing. We will deliver the donations and the warmth of WeLoveU members to the victims.”

Through the 24th New Life Family Walkathon held on April 23, WeLoveU decided to help neighbors in need in 24 countries, including Korea wildfire victims and Turkiye earthquake victims. This donation on September 4 was made as part of that decision.

Due to “global tropicalization,” which goes beyond global warming, precipitation in spring and winter decreases and dry weather continues, leading to an increase in naturally occurring wildfires; and the number of cases of artificially generated wildfires spreading to a large scale is also increasing. According to the Korea Forest Service, the number of domestic wildfires in 2022 reached an all-time high of 756, and this year, wildfires are expected to become more frequent and exceed that record. In December 2019 and April 2022, WeLoveU delivered a message of encouragement by donating 100 million KRW worth of local gift certificates and 50 million KRW to the Gangwon Provincial Office for the wildfire victims in Gangwon Province, who suffered great damage from successive large-scale wildfires.