OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Floods
16 October 2001


The Government of DPR Korea has requested international assistance.

Situation and Damage

1.  People on the eastern coast of DPR Korea has been suffering
consequences of the severe floods triggered by heavy rains, along with
strong winds and sea surges, on 9 and 10 October 2001. According to the
Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee (FDRC), the Government coordinating
body for humanitarian assistance, 81 people were confirmed killed with 84
seriously injured. 33 persons are reportedly missing. Over 1,000 houses
have collapsed with a further 3,000 being declared uninhabitable and more
than 31,500 partially damaged. Many more houses are at risk from
landslides caused by over a decade of deforestation.

2.  In Wonsan city, the capital of Kangwon province, with a population of
309,000, a large number of buildings, including schools, factories and
houses as well as water supply and sewage systems have been inundated and
damaged. While Red Cross delegates are currently undertaking detailed
assessments in the health, water and sanitation sectors, IFRC reports that
urgent international assistance is required to assist local authorities in
purifying water and repairing damaged pumping stations and water pipes.
IRFC also reports that Kangwon Hospital lost power and water for two days
because of the floods and has currently insufficient supplies or equipment
to cope with the number of injured and sick people referred to the
hospital since 10 October.

3.  Significant damage not only to paddy fields but also to vegetable
plots and orchards is reported. As the eastern coastal area is a food
deficit area any losses to food production can have a serious impact on
the food supply situation.

4.  Beyond the immediate impact of the floods, serious concern exists for
the affected population during the coming winter months. With the onset of
sub-zero daily temperature less than six weeks away, provincial
authorities will be unlikely to be able to provide adequate accommodation
for homeless families before winter sets in.


Immediate Needs

5.  According to the FDRC, urgently required relief items are as follows:

- 5,000 MT of food
- 30,000 blankets
- 12,000 pieces of underwear, socks and shoes
- 120 MT of chlorine for water treatment
- 5,000 kitchen utensils
- antibiotics and diarrhoea remedy for 500,000 people
- items for rehabilitation works (600 MT of diesel, 300 MT of petrol,
  12,000 of cement, 120 MT of iron sheet and 60 MT of steel bar)


6.  IFRC confirms based on information collected through joint DPRK Red
Cross and Federation assessments that immediate ongoing needs are for
temporary shelter, blankets and clothing, domestic items including cooking
utensils and fuel for cooking, water and sanitation activities, and basic
medical supplies.


National and International Response

7.  While the FDRC is making every effort for the stabilization of
people's lives and rehabilitation of the affected area, the FDRC has
requested the international community on 16 October to assist the
Government by providing essential relief items as mentioned above.

8.  Following the government request, an Inter-Agency coordination meeting
was convened in Pyongyang to discuss the in-country response to the flood
damage. UNICEF, WFP and IFRC reported that the flood damage was severe and
would require additional resources from the international community.

9.  UNICEF has distributed 40 drug kits, 40 cartons of ORS (oral
rehydration salts) and water purification tablets. However, this amount
will be insufficient to meet the health needs of the affected communities
in the coming days.

10.  WFP, which has sub-offices in the affected areas, is currently in
discussions with the government authorities on the possible provision of
food assistance to the flood victims.

11.  The DPRK Red Cross has provided relief items (100 metric tonnes of
wheat, 3,600 blankets, 192 kitchen sets, 132 first aid kits, 1,200 water
containers, 110,000 water purification tablets and 50 rolls of plastic
sheeting) to 1,200 families living in and around Wonsan city. The DPRK Red
Cross has also established a small temporary first aid post where minor
injuries are being treated.

12.  On 16 October IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal, seeking CHF 815,000
(approximately USD 506,200) to assist 12,000 beneficiaries for 3 months.

13.  Head of OCHA DPRK will be visiting to the affected province of
Kangwon on 17 October. Based on further information from his mission OCHA
intends to provide an Emergency Grant to support the flood affected
population.

14.  OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions to be
used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination/consultation with
relevant organizations in the United Nations system. Funds should be
transferred to the following account:

Bank's Name:   Chase Manhattan Bank, NY
Address:   International Agencies Banking
           1166 Avenue of the Americas
           17th Floor
           New York, NY 10036-2708
           USA
Account's Name:   United Nations Geneva
                  General Fund
Account's Number:   485-001802
SWIFT Code:   CHASUS33
ABA code 021000021
Reference:   OCHA - DPR Korea - Floods

OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details
concerning the utilization of the funds contributed.


15.  For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA
Geneva, as indicated below, on relief missions/pledges/contributions and
their corresponding values by item.

16.  Contributions to this disaster may be found by clicking on Financial
Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet
Website (http://www.reliefweb.int). Donors are requested to verify this
table and inform OCHA Geneva of corrections/additions/values. Donors are
encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their contributions to this disaster
using the OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format, available
electronically on the above mentioned Financial Tracking Website.

17.  OCHA is in contact with its Office in Pyongyang, and will revert with
further information, as it becomes available.

18.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. J. McGoldrick / Mr. R. Mueller / Ms. S. DeSouza / Mr. S. Matsuka /
  Mr. K. Quiding
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1712 / 3131 / 1636 / 4034 / 1769

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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