Korea counts the cost of Maemi.

Korea (MNN)–World Vision Korea was the first Korean NGO to reach out to Typhoon “Maemi” victims in the southern coastal region of Korea.

At the outbreak of Typhoon Maemi, World Vision Korea’s Domestic Ministry Team and Relief Team immediately packed and delivered 825 relief kits to typhoon-affected households in Kosung, an area of severely damaged seashore villages in the southern area.

The relief effort was conducted in partnership with a donor corporation, churches and World Vision Korea. SK Telecom donated funding for the relief kits, worth $40,000; volunteers were mobilized by the local branch of Korean Church Association; and World Vision Korea coordinated the relief process.

This week, World Vision Korea plans to pack and deliver an additional 3,650 relief kits to the typhoon victims on the east-coast. Among the recipients will be sponsored children and their families, who lost houses and property.

In recent years, World Vision Korea has geared up relief efforts to respond to natural disasters, by training and enlisting manpower and building networks engaging 13 regional offices across the nation.

Typhoon Maemi, the worst in 40 years, impacted many Koreans who were taking annual vacations with their families to celebrate the traditional Full Moon Festival holidays on Sept 10-14, similar to western Thanksgiving holidays. It claimed 126 lives and property damage is estimated at over $2 billion.