• Aussie officer assists in South Korea

Salvation Army emergency response teams assisting with supplies during the recent fires in South Korea.

The Salvation Army in Korea is engaged in emergency relief efforts following the single biggest wildfire ever recorded in South Korea, beginning on 22 March.

More than 320 buildings and houses have been damaged, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. Eight homes of Salvation Army soldiers were affected by the fires, and the Goe-jeong Corps was also destroyed.

Australian officer Captain Star Conliffe, who is the Assistant Corps Officer at Daejeon Central Corps in South Korea (with her husband Captain Charlie Conliffe), went with a group of Salvation Army volunteers to assist at one of the evacuation centres. “During our break, we took a trip to the local Salvos (Goe-jeong Corps), which unfortunately burned down a couple of days ago,” she said. “Heartbreaking scenes, but the good news is that all fires are now out or under control.”

At least 27 people have died, and 37,000 people have been displaced by fires spanning 36,000 hectares in the south-east of the country. The fires started on 22 March.

Emergency response

The Salvation Army quickly activated its emergency relief operations, dispatching teams to the impacted areas and providing essential aid to those in need. Relief efforts focused on delivering food, water, blankets, tents and other vital supplies. Local emergency shelters, including gymnasiums and temporary evacuation centres, received continuous support from The Salvation Army. 

Relief teams used three mobile kitchens to supply daily meals in Gyeongsangnam-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. These kitchens served not only evacuees but also fire suppression teams, who worked tirelessly to control the fires. To date, more than 19,000 people have benefited from these services, with more than 18,800 meals prepared.

The affected areas are home to many elderly residents, and there is an urgent need for continued support to help them maintain a stable and safe living environment. The Korea Territory remains committed to providing continuous assistance, with ongoing prayer and support from the international Salvation Army community.

For more photos from the response, click on the arrow below.