South Korea: 36,000 scouts attending the World Scout Jamboree, the world’s largest youth camp, have been evacuating from their campsite on South Korea’s coast to inland locations ahead of a tropical storm, Typhoon Khanun.
More than 1,000 buses are deployed to transport the attendees, who come from 156 countries. Their alternative accommodation is in Seoul and the surrounding areas. Members of Korea’s Special Forces were on hand to help with the evacuation, as per the statement.
WOSM received confirmation this morning from the Govt of the Republic of Korea that due to the expected impact of Typhoon Khanun, an early departure will be planned for all participants at the 25th World #ScoutJamboree from the campsite in SaeManGeum:https://t.co/Yse9Pskq39
— World Scouting (@worldscouting) August 7, 2023
The evacuation, announced on 8th August 2023, comes after the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) said it contacted South Korea to quickly move the scouts and supply essential help for participants until they return to their home countries.
The jamboree started on 2nd August 2023, at the campsite, and hundreds of participants were already treated for heat-related ailments during one of South Korea’s hottest summers in years. Concerns had been raised about large numbers of young people lacking protection from the summer heat. Organisers have said the campsite will not be used for any event after the Scouts leave.
Due to the high temperatures, numerous scouts from the UK and the US had to depart the site. Approximately 4,500 UK scouts were relocated to Seoul hotels, while around 1,000 US scouts were transferred to Camp Humphreys, a significant US military base located 70 kilometres (45 miles) south of Seoul.
“This is the first time in more than 100 years of World Scout Jamborees that we have had to face such compounded challenges,” Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi, the secretary general of the WOSM, stated.
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