How do Guryong Village residents cope with extreme heat without air conditioning?

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Guryong Village Residents Endure Extreme Heat Through Basic Survival Tactics and Limited Resources

Residents of Guryong Village are facing extreme heat by seeking shade outdoors and utilizing rudimentary cooling methods, as the lack of air conditioning makes their homes almost unbearable. Temperatures have reached up to 38°C, forcing many to leave their shacks in search of relief, with some finding temporary respite in a converted community centre. While local authorities have provided some cooling appliances, the overall situation highlights a stark disparity in coping mechanisms between the affluent and the impoverished during heatwaves.
Reliance on Outdoor Shade and Makeshift Shelters

Many Guryong Village residents, living in homes constructed from wood and tarpaulin, are finding their living spaces too hot to remain in. As a result, they are spending significant time lying outside under any available shade. This practice is a direct response to the inability to stay indoors due to the oppressive heat, with individuals like 65-year-old Baek Su-hyun resorting to makeshift tarp shelters when their temporary housing becomes uninhabitable.
Limited Effectiveness of Alternative Cooling Methods

While some residents have managed to acquire battery-powered fans, these devices offer minimal relief against the severe heat. These fans, often collected as discarded items from wealthier citizens, are insufficient to combat temperatures that have repeatedly set new records, peaking at 42.5°C in South Korea recently. The struggle to stay cool is compounded by the fact that access to reliable electricity, essential for more effective cooling appliances, is not guaranteed for all households in the village.
Official Support and Community Resources

In response to the escalating heatwave, local authorities have taken steps to support vulnerable populations in the Gangnam district, which includes Guryong Village. A community centre has been transformed into an emergency heat shelter, providing a place for residents to escape the high temperatures. Additionally, cooling appliances have been distributed to households deemed most at risk, an effort that has seen 67 million won allocated for such provisions in the Gangnam area.

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How do Guryong Village residents cope with extreme heat without air conditioning?

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