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Thousands of homes built for flood-hit families in DPR Korea

Countries
DPRK
Sources
UN RC DPRK
Publication date

(Pyongyang, 28 November 2016): Three months after devastating floods hit the North Hamgyong province of DPR Korea, almost 12,000 families whose homes were destroyed have moved into new houses.
According to local authorities new homes for 11,928 families have been built and repairs were made to another 17,698 households. At the same time international agencies have been providing flood-affected people with food, shelter, medicines and water and sanitation relief to meet the most immediate needs, as well as educational supplies, warm winter clothing and household items.
In response to a special request by the Government, some agencies have also contributed towards roofing for the new homes and public institutions like nurseries, kindergartens, schools, health clinics and hospitals.
Following a joint mission between the Government of DPRK and humanitarian agencies working in the country to some of the worst flood-affected areas, the UN Resident Coordinator in DPR Korea, Mr Tapan Mishra, said, “Seeing first-hand the work that has gone into the rehousing of those who had been displaced, repairing damaged infrastructure and rebuilding hospitals, clinics and schools has been inspiring.” “While there is no doubt that massive efforts have been made to bring relief to the people in the affected areas, especially to provide housing as a priority before severe winter sets in, additional support is still needed. More than 27,000 hectares of agricultural land was inundated by the flood waters, while kitchen gardens were destroyed and livestock killed. All of these will take time to replenish. In addition, water networks in the affected counties remain partially broken, while essential medicines and nutritious food continue to be a pressing need to prevent malnutrition and outbreaks of disease.” This mission, conducted by nine humanitarian and development agencies alongside the Secretary General of the DPRK National Coordinating Committee (NCC) and the UN Resident Coordinator, visited Yonsa, Musan and Hoeryong City, the three most severely affected counties in North Hamgyong province. The mission reviewed the flood response and the alignment of international support with Government’s efforts, and identified any urgent needs.
Mr Mishra said, “This mission has provided a valuable opportunity to review the evolving situation in flood-affected areas and to discuss with the national authorities how they and humanitarian organizations, can continue to work together to meet the basic needs of the people, especially now that winter has set in. Thanks to the generous support of many donors great progress has been made, but more assistance is still urgently required to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind”.
The remnants of Typhoon Lionrock struck northern DPRK at the end of August causing massive damage to lives and property. On 19 September a Flood Emergency Response Plan was issued that estimated the cost of the response to be $29 million. To date, humanitarian agencies in DPRK have raised almost $12 million of internal and donor funds for the flood response, including $5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

For further information please contact:
Marina Throne-Holst, Office of the Resident Coordinator, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Email: throne-holst@un.org, mobile: +850 191 250 0130