UNIST Provides Aid and Hope in Wake of Super Typhoon

UNIST has extended its relief efforts to assist those storm and flood-ravaged areas of Ulju-County. In the early morning of November 9, a group of UNIST students and faculty deployed to Jungri Village, located in Beomseo-eup, Ulju-County to provide aid and hope in wake of super typhoon.

Floods in Jungri Village, caused by days of torrential rain and compounded by a typhoon were turning out to be worse than initially feared. The heavy rain caused the nearby river to overflow, ruining farms and orchards, and crippled transportation, power and telecommunications systems throughout the region.

Volunteers are reconstructing crumbling roads and bridges. [Photo Credit: Jae Won Han, Student Supporting Team]

“As soon as our student leaders learned of the destruction that unfolded, they, without prompting or prodding, sprang into action,” President Gordon Gee said. “Within a few hours, they had developed a plan for delivering much-needed supplies to those in harm’s way.”

“UNIST’s heart aches for the victims of the devastating storm and flash flooding in southern parts of South Korea on November 5,” Prof. Hyung Joon Cho, Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs at UNIST said. “Our students, faculty and staff are committed to trying to help all affected members of our community, as well as other residents of the city.”

“Volunteering for disaster relief is a hard but rewarding endeavor, I must say,” says KyeongSeo Doo, the UNIST student president. “This is students who care, faculty, staff, administration who care coming together to make sure that people get supplies that they desperately need.”

This disaster relief volunteering project has been oraganized in conjunction with with Ulju-gun Volunteer Center. At the end of the day, the residents of Jungri Village expressed their gratitude by showing volunteers how their individual efforts made an impact in their community.

UNIST volunteers, clearing away the mud that has piled up.

An international student, helping to repair damage caused by the flood.

UNIST volunteers are helping to repair damage caused by the flood.

Students are helping mushroom farmers recover from Typhoon Chaba.