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Urgent CFK Update: Flood Situation in DPRK (as of August 27, 2007) From August 5-14, torrential rains combined with high winds dumped 60-85cm (24-33 inches) of water on the croplands and denuded mountainsides of five provinces in the Southern region of North Korea. The rains filled rivers and turned small streams into raging torrents, taking people, homes, crops, bridges, roads and other structures with it. While assessments by those on the ground are still in process, early reports indicate that over 600 people are dead or missing, 59,000 homes were completely destroyed leaving 170,000 homeless, and at least 20% of the rice and 15% of the corn crop growing in the fields for the harvest this fall is lost. In a country that was already expecting a shortfall of 1 million metric tons of food (1/5th of its overall cereal needs) and with over a third of the population chronically malnourished, the effects of this year’s floods, the worst in 40 years, will be devastating. Reports indicate that approximately 30-40% of public buildings in the flood affected areas, including health facilities and schools, were partially or totally damaged. Public water supply systems were destroyed, and flooding has contaminated or submerged water sources and wells. The sanitation system has been choked with debris. Tens of thousands of people whose homes were destroyed and belongings lost are reported to be living in evacuation centers like tents, schools or other public buildings, or in the houses of friends and neighbors. People in the affected areas do not have access to clean drinking water and are now at risk for serious waterborne diseases and infections. As the rains and humidity continue the threat of disease is growing, and hundreds of thousands of people are subject to very poor hygiene and living conditions. Reversing a 2005 policy shift to developmental assistance from humanitarian aid, the North Korean government has appealed for help from the outside world, and the Red Cross as well as UN agencies are now in the process of putting together a consolidated appeal. The tuberculosis and other health care facilities that we have continued to support for many years are located in the region most affected by the recent disaster. While we have not yet received a specific update on our supported tuberculosis and other health care facilities, we have been urged by our North Korean counterparts to send antibiotics, food, and to help in all other possible ways. We fully expect that due to food shortages and the various stresses of the floods, more people will succumb to tuberculosis and other diseases and these facilities will see a significant influx of patients. We need your generous help in order to respond with the love and compassion of Christ to those who are suffering now in North Korea. We plan to visit later this Fall to confirm the arrival of multiple shipments sent over the summer months. We expect that a more thorough and specific assessment of needs at our supported facilities as a result of the recent flooding will be possible at that time, and we will report back to you on our findings. In coordination with our partners, we are making immediate preparations to send a 40’ container filled with medicine, food, blankets and other urgently needed goods that will likely be valued at well over $800,000. As funds are available, we are also looking into providing a variety of other urgently needed goods, including small greenhouses for use as temporary shelters in the short term, to be converted to growing vegetables later after immediate housing needs have been met. Over the longer term, food will also be a serious concern. Thank you in advance for your prayers, and for your generous support to help those in need in North Korea. You can contribute right now by credit card using a secure service provided by PayPal. First time users will be required to register. |
