Korea (PRK): Floods [OFDA-01: 26-Aug-96]

 U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

   BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

      NORTH KOREA - Floods/Food Shortage

Fact Sheet #1 -- August 26, 1996

Background:  In 1995, severe flooding, caused by torrential rains
from July to August, swept through the western and northern
regions of North Korea.  Over 140 counties in 12 provinces were
affected by the floods, which also damaged over 400,000 hectares
of arable land just before harvest time and left 500,000 people
homeless.  The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)
estimated the total financial loss brought on by the floods at
$15 billion.  The floods, the worst in decades, and a general
decline in the economic situation in the country that began with
the end of the Cold War complicated the already poor food
security situation.  According to the United Nations (U.N.), the
food shortage level exceeded 1 million metric tons (MT) of grain
in late 1995.

The humanitarian crisis continued in North Korea throughout 1996
and was aggravated by additional floods in late July that ravaged
the same areas that were struck by last year's floods.  At least
200 were reportedly killed and 30,000 left homeless as a result
of the floods.  The DPRK estimates the total damage to crops and
infrastructure caused by this latest flooding at $1.7 billion.
In all, the DPRK estimates that at least 5.2 million people have
been affected by the floods and ensuing food shortage.  According
to the U.N. World Food Program (WFP), the floods resulted in 117
deaths and placed nearly 2.5 million women and children in the
north at serious risk of starvation.

Current Humanitarian Assistance:  In June, the U.N. launched its
second consolidated inter-agency appeal for $43.6 million to
address the most urgent needs stemming from the severe and
unprecedented floods that have caused widespread devastation in
North Korea since 1995.  The appeal covers the period from July
1, 1996 to March 31, 1997 and will target communities in the
most-affected provinces of Chagang, North and South Hwanghae,
North and South Pyongan and Kangwon.  It focuses on three
priority sectors: food aid; the recovery of arable lands; and
health.  Several U.N. and NGO agencies, including the WFP and the
ICRC, have also launched separate appeals in response to the
humanitarian disaster in North Korea.  The DPRK initially
provided blankets and quilts in view of the impending cold
season, as well as some food assistance in the form of rice and
medicine.  In addition, the DPRK, with the assistance of the DPRK
Red Cross Society, evacuated people to safe zones, provided
temporary shelter, and implemented follow-up first aid and
medical activities.

U.S. Government (USG) Assistance:  On October 10, 1995, Assistant
Secretary of State Winston Lord issued a disaster declaration in
North Korea in response to an international appeal for assistance
launched by the DPRK.  In February, USAID's BHR/OFDA released
$2.24 million as grants to UNICEF and the WFP appeal for
emergency food assistance and to support an independent Food
Program Observer who monitored and assessed the food distribution
process.

Unfortunately, on March 19, a WFP-chartered freighter carrying
over 5,600 MT of rice donated by the U.S., Switzerland, and
Australia sank in the Taiwan Straits and resulted in 15 deaths.
A replacement ship arrived the following month, carrying 8,200 MT
of rice.  USAID's BHR/Food for Peace (FFP) contributed 13,100 MT
of rice, corn meal, and corn soya blend valued at $6.3 million to the
WFP in response to the 1996-97 U.N. international appeal to
assist the victims.  Total humanitarian assistance provided to
the DPRK by world-wide governments is estimated at $56 million as
of late June.

BHR/OFDA Humanitarian Assistance
FY 1996 (estimated value)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,240,000
BHR/FFP Humanitarian Assistance FY 1996. . . . . . . . $6,286,500
Total USG Humanitarian Assistance (to date). . . . . . $8,526,500


distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
Disaster Information Center                    lists: listproc@cidi.org
                                                   sitreps   nat-dsr
gopher: gopher.cidi.org                            appeal
   web: www.cidi.org                               fireline
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
comments/suggestions/requests to incident@cidi.org