The individuals in charge of the UK pavilion at the 25th World Scout Jamboree are preparing to leave the location in South Korea.
A large global gathering of scouts in South Korea had to cut short their camp due to an approaching typhoon, following concerns about extreme heat affecting participants earlier. The World Scout Jamboree, attended by nearly 40,000 teenagers, was originally intended for outdoor activities, cultural performances, and workshops. However, the typhoon’s expected impact led to an early departure and transfer of around 36,000 scouts from 156 countries to the Seoul area. The typhoon is predicted to bring heavy rainfall to the region.
The “plan for urgent evacuation” involves the deployment of 1,000 buses for transportation purposes. Furthermore, the prime minister is scheduled to convene a meeting with local officials on Monday to address lodging arrangements and supplementary programs for the scouts, as stated by him.
The typhoon is just the latest in a series of problems that have plagued the event since its commencement on August 1. In the initial week, numerous teenagers fell sick due to an intense heat wave, with some requiring medical attention at the on-site hospital for issues like skin irritations, sunburn, and insect bites.
On Sunday alone, approximately 1,300 individuals sought treatment at the on-site hospital, as stated by Kim Hyun-sook, the chairperson of the jamboree’s organizing committee, and the Minister of Gender Equality and Family.
South Korea has issued heat wave alerts for most parts of the country since late July, with temperatures projected to reach 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit) in certain areas on Monday, according to the Korean Meteorological Agency.
Furthermore, there were additional grievances, with concerned parents sharing online the complaints their children had voiced from the campsite – including insufficient food, sleeping equipment, and even beds.
In an effort to address the situation, organizers introduced a set of new measures on Friday to enhance conditions, including a seven-fold increase in the number of cleaning staff to over 500.
During the weekend, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea directed authorities to dispatch air-conditioned buses to provide extra heat relief at the location. He also emphasized the need for a comprehensive initiative to ensure cleanliness at the campsite, aiming to prevent instances of food poisoning.
However, these actions came after concerns had already escalated among leaders of various nations and families of campers from abroad. Over the weekend, significant groups of scouts from countries including the United States, Britain, and Singapore withdrew from the event. This withdrawal amplified the voices calling for an early conclusion to the jamboree.
According to a report from Reuters, the American group has stated its intention to relocate its campers to the US Army Garrison Humphreys before arranging their departure back to the United States on August 25th. Meanwhile, the British contingent has indicated that they plan to transfer their campers to accommodations in Seoul for the remainder of their stay.