![The National Health Insurance Service delivers bottled water and other relief supplies to residents in drought-affected areas, including Jeongeup in North Jeolla Province and Yeonggwang, Hampyeong, Jangseong and Damyang-gun, on Thursday. [National Health Insurance Service]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/08/14/news-p.v1.20260814.591a6ce45695450f9ddfc19a4d949e8d_P1.png)
The National Health Insurance Service announced Friday it has drawn up a "national support plan for responding to catastrophic heat waves and drought" and will mount an organization-wide effort to assist communities struggling with the extreme weather.
Beginning Tuesday, the NHIS has been leveraging its nationwide branch network, facilities and personnel to carry out four initiatives: operating heat-relief shelters at branches across the country, intensifying community service activities for vulnerable groups, stepping up focused management of people at heightened health risk, and strengthening heat illness prevention and safety measures.
Beyond its heat wave response, the NHIS is also expanding support for drought-affected areas.
Centering on its 216 volunteer corps nationwide, the agency will assess drought damage conditions by region and strengthen monitoring of vulnerable populations, including elderly people living alone.
The NHIS will also provide emergency relief supplies such as bottled water to drought-hit areas and pursue a range of community-linked social contribution activities.
"Record-breaking heat waves and drought are a national disaster threatening the lives and health of the public," NHIS President Kang Cheong-hui said. "The agency will mobilize its entire national organization and infrastructure to do its utmost to ensure public safety, and we will fulfill our role as a public institution so that all citizens can continue their healthy daily lives."
thlee@heraldcorp.com
