OCHA Situation Report No. 12
DPR Korea: Floods
15 October 2007


This report is based on information from UN Agencies, IFRC, Programme 
Support Units (PSUs), the Government of the Democratic People's Republic 
of Korea and OCHA ROAP.

SITUATION

1. Heavy rains from 7-14 August 2007 caused severe floods in nine 
provinces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), including 
the capital city, Pyongyang.  The floods affected almost one million 
people and displaced nearly 170,000, as well as at least 454 people 
reported deaths and 156 people remain missing.  Government statistics 
sources reported over 40,000 houses completely destroyed, with a further 
200,000 submerged or badly damaged in the floods. Thousands of schools, 
hospitals and other public buildings were destroyed or badly damaged. At 
least 10 per cent of agricultural land was also inundated.

2. Rainstorms and strong winds caused by Typhoon Wipha from 17-20 
September led to further severe damage in four provinces. The DPRK Red 
Cross Society estimates that an additional 1,649 people were made 
homeless and over 109,000 hectares of farmland damaged.

COORDINATED IN-COUNTRY RESPONSE

Coordination and monitoring

3. Sectoral meetings continued last week. However, a national holiday on 
10 October and the UN holiday on 12 October meant that there were no key 
coordination meetings with the Government of DPRK. UN agencies will 
provide more detailed feedback for the following report, regarding 
implementation of Appeal and CERF funded activities.

Health and Nutrition

4. Training of 25 investigators, who will undertake Rapid Screening 
(MUAC) of children under five from 15-17 October, concluded on 12 
October. A UNICEF staff member experienced in community-based 
nutritional responses arrived in DPRK to plan the response phase 
following the Rapid Screening.

5. Field visits to monitor disease outbreak and delivery of supplies 
continued during the week with UNICEF visiting three counties and one 
ri. UNFPA also undertook several field visits this week. No significant 
reports of diarrhoea or other diseases were received during the field 
visits. Further support to Disease Surveillance through measures 
proposed by WHO requires approval by the MoPH.

6. Inter-Agency Emergency Health Kits were received by WHO and one was 
delivered to Singhye County Hospital. Cholera kits and other health kits 
will be pre-positioned at the provincial level to meet future needs. 
EU Project Support Unit 1 reports on-going procurement of medicines, 
though progress is slow due to the high global demand for emergency 
medicines.

Water and Sanitation

7. The joint assessment of damage to water supply systems in the 26 
worst-affected counties was completed and results due by 19 October. 
EUPS 1 consultant will be joined by a UNICEF assessment specialist. The 
joint assessment of selected pump stations is expected to be completed 
between 23 October and 6 November.

Food Security

8. WFP reports that arrival of food stocks in-country for emergency 
relief were critically affected by the cessation of cross-border 
movement of railway wagons from China following a long-pending dispute 
over delays. As soon as DPRK returns Chinese rail wagons, then the 
Chinese rail authorities will issue WFP suppliers with the wagons they 
need to transport the food aid into DPRK. WFP hopes that the concerned 
authorities can resolve this issue quickly to ensure the timely delivery 
of food.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

9. The Republic of Korea Ministry of Unification announced on 10 October 
that it will provide 400,000 tonnes of fertilizer (grant) and 500,000 
tonnes of rice (loan) in 2008, an increase on aid to DPRK in 2007. The 
Ministry clarified that this increase is due to the damage and potential 
food insecurity caused by the floods in August 2007.

10. The DPRK Flash Appeal for USD 14.1 million is now 79 per cent 
funded, with a further USD 1.1 million in unconfirmed pledges. For 
additional updates, please refer to the OCHA Financial Tracking Service 
(FTS) http://Reliefweb.int/fts.

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

For detailed information please contact:

Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific , Bangkok
Mr. Markus Werne
Mob. + 66-81-917-8940
Tel. + 66-2288-2558

Ms. Amanda Pitt
Mob. + 66-81-374-1035
Tel. + 66-2288-1195


Desk Officer:
(NYC)
Mr. Ivan Lupis
Tel. +1-917-367-5286

Ms. Kendra Clegg
Tel. +1-917-367-3524


Press contact:
(NYC) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel. +1-917-367-5126
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Tel. +41-22-917-2653

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