Suwon Citizens' COVID-19 Donations Providing Relief

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Donations of funds and goods from Suwon citizens, organizations, institutions, and businesses with the message "Please deliver this to neighbors struggling due to COVID-19" are being steadily distributed to those in need.

As of midnight on the 3rd, COVID-19-related donations (excluding disaster basic income donations) total 1.175 billion won, comprised of 448.58 million won in cash and 723.92 million won in goods.

The goods include 292,024 masks, 26,022 disinfectants, and 40,108 other items.

The city is distributing the donated funds and goods in accordance with donors' wishes to those in greatest need.

On March 10, the Korea Broadcasting System Foundation (100 million won) and the New Gyeonggi Athletic Association (10 million won) designated 110 million won in donations "to be used for small business owners and vulnerable populations suffering from the COVID-19 crisis." These funds are being provided as special consolation payments to small business owners in establishments listed on the "confirmed patient route" that were visited before a confirmed case was confirmed positive.

On March 25, 1 million won (3.3 million won total) was provided to 33 establishments, and on May 26, 1 million won (1.7 million won total) was provided to 17 establishments.

Consolation payment support will continue until the donated funds are exhausted.

Following the COVID-19 crisis, meal box production costs were supported for low-income elderly people and homeless individuals and other vulnerable populations who could not eat on time due to the suspension of senior dining facilities and free meal services. Approximately 50 million won in donations was provided.

Meal box costs for homeless individuals were supported from mid-March through mid-May. Senior meal box support, which began in mid-March, is scheduled to continue through June.

Goods such as masks and hand sanitizers were distributed to vulnerable populations and others who had difficulty obtaining quarantine supplies.

The city plans to promptly distribute donations to those experiencing difficulties due to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, beginning April 9, the city has been conducting the "Love's Harvest and #Overcome Together Suwon Sharing Campaign" with the Gyeonggi Community Chest of Korea (including donations of disaster basic income for the first time in my life). As of midnight on the 3rd, the total collected is 533.83 million won (2,427 donations).

The sharing campaign, running through August 31, involves donating disaster basic income to those suffering from COVID-19.

The donations will be distributed to citizens affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Citizens wishing to donate can deposit funds to the special fundraising account (NH Bank 317-0003-8354-31, Account holder: Gyeonggi Community Chest of Korea) or place donations in collection boxes installed at each dong administrative welfare center.

Citizens can select from a designated donation form those they wish to help, including small business owners, unemployed youth, and low-income and blind spot citizens suffering from the COVID-19 crisis.