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Extreme Floods Hit North Korea

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 26 2013 (IPS) - Heavy seasonal rains over the past two weeks has caused extreme flooding and consecutive landslides across large areas of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Many parts of the country have received twice the average rainfall of July in just three days. North and south Pyongan, north and south Hwanghae, south Hamgyong, Kangwon and Jagang provinces have been worst affected, witnessing extreme damage to buildings, infrastructure and crops.

In Anjui City, South Pyongan, the banks of the river Chongchon burst leaving 80% of the province flooded since the early hours of July 21 2013, a Red Cross report states.

Some 46,000 people have been displaced and 28 people have thus far died. Over 11,000 buildings have been destroyed, more than 10,000 hectares of farmland has been affected and over 3,700 families have lost their homes.

The United Nations has dispatched assessment teams to a number of areas in the DPRK that the government has identified as being the worst affected by the flooding.

Eduardo Del Buey, deputy spokesperson for the Secretary -General, told reporters Friday: “UN agencies that have conducted assessment missions in North Pyongan have warned that homeless families do not have enough food stocks.”

Much of the affected population has been moved to public buildings which are serving as temporary shelters; yet conditions are often inadequate, lacking bedding and other basic household utilities.

With many water supplies polluted in both rural and urban areas, access to clean drinking water is a major concern. Local health authorities are providing primary healthcare and clean water to as many victims as possible whilst humanitarian partners have distributed diarrhea treatment kits to 1,200 patients. In addition, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has released over 1,000 hygiene kits to displaced women and girls.

The DPRK is not unfamiliar to severe flooding. Last year, the country suffered one of the worst floods in its history.

Cyclone Khanun hit the region in July 2012 causing torrential rain and flash flooding that lasted into August. More than 62,000 people were displaced and over 100 people lost their lives.  Typhoon Bolaven then hit the region in September displacing yet more people and creating further havoc.

With flooding set to continue for the near future, international organizations wait on hand to see how the situation develops.  The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues to monitor the situation and is working with the DPRK and the humanitarian community in order to coordinate an effective emergency response.

 
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