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UNICEF DPR Korea Humanitarian Situation Report, 1 January-30 June 2017

Countries
DPRK
Sources
UNICEF
Publication date
Origin
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Highlights

The humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is characterized by chronic food insecurity and limited access to quality health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, with resultant chronic undernutrition and poor health outcomes. Recurring natural disasters such as flooding and drought have exacerbated existing vulnerabilities. An estimated 18 million people are food insecure and 200,000 children are affected by acute malnutrition.

  • The UNICEF-supported programme for the treatment of acute malnutrition achieved a high geographical coverage, with treatment services available in about 90 per cent of the country.

  • In the first half of 2017, the DPRK Immunization Programme reached over 98 per cent of the targeted children and pregnant women, between January and June, with vaccines provided by UNICEF.

  • In May, 1.5 million children under five received deworming treatment and 1.7 million received one dose of measles vaccine in the first round of Child Health Day.

  • Only 25 per cent of HAC requirements are currently funded, resulting in difficulties to provide life-saving services for children across sectors.

Situation in Numbers

4,950,000 # of children in need of humanitarian assistance

18,000,000 # of people in need

UNICEF Appeal 2017 US$ 16.5 million

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

Since 2016, UNICEF is reaching about 90% (1.5 million) children under five with early identification, referral and treatment services for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). In 2017, UNICEF estimated the need to treat about 60,000 SAM and 120,000 MAM children countrywide. UNICEF is providing traditional vaccines for 368,000 children under one year of age, and 372,000 pregnant and lactating women. The programme also supports provision of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) for treatment of diarrheoa, and essential medicines for the treatment of pneumonia and other childhood illnesses in 94 focus counties. Since May, a prolonged dry season has exacerbated the effects of an already chronic drought in DPRK.