Concern for tens of thousands left homeless after floods hit North Korea
16 October 2001

Floods which have left 81 people dead and approximately 60,000 homeless in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have also wiped out essential stocks of rice in an area where there is already a food deficit, says the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

A combination of heavy rain, strong winds and sea surges on October 9-10, led to the flooding in two cities and eight counties along DPR Korea's eastern coast. Wonsan city, the provincial capital of Kangwon province saw as much as 450 mm of rainfall in one day.

In response, the International Federation has today launched an appeal for 800,000 Swiss francs to help 12,000 of those most in need of help for a period of three months.

According to the findings of an interagency/government assessment team, more than 22,600 hectares of paddy fields have been damaged and 73,000 tonnes of rice lost. Adults and children alike tried to salvage bundles of cut rice from the paddy fields, but it is thought that only up to 10 percent of the harvest can be saved if washed with clean water.

However, access to clean water has been seriously diminished by damage caused to water and sanitation systems. A joint assessment team from the International Federation delegation in Pyongyang and the DPR Korea Red Cross travelling in the affected areas within 20 hours of the flash floods, stated a high risk of water contamination and its possible consequences.

"The population of Kangwon province was already suffering from food shortages and poor health care before the floods, and their situation has now been seriously exacerbated," said Per-Gunnar Jenssen, team leader of the Red Cross assessment mission. "We fear the outbreak of waterborne diseases and there is also serious risk of respiratory illnesses as temperatures will drop dramatically within the next few weeks. These people need immediate assistance."

Jenssen added that hospitals and clinics in the area are already operating without any sophisticated equipment or basic medicine and are ill prepared to handle any additional health crisis.

The DPR Korea Red Cross, with the assistance of the Federation, was first on the scene, providing 1,200 of the worst affected families with food, blankets, kitchen sets, water purification tablets and plastic sheeting from its regional warehouse in Wonsan city. The DPR Korea Red Cross also established temporary first aid posts staffed with volunteers to treat minor injuries and provide psychological support in the aftermath of the disaster.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Jemini Pandya, Information Officer Tel.: +41 22 730 4570/ + 41 79 217 3374

Marie-Françoise Borel Information Officer Tel: +41 79 416 3881

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.