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DPR Korea: Appeal No. 01.48/2001 Programme Update No. 1

Países
RPDC
Fuentes
IFRC
Fecha de publicación


This Programme Update is intended for reporting on Annual Appeals.
Appeal Target: CHF 11,826,783

Period covered: 1 January - 30 June 2001

"At a Glance"

Appeal coverage: 51.3%

Related Appeals: 01.47/01 East Asia regional programmes

Outstanding needs: CHF 5,763,384

Summary: Limited coverage of the appeal has not hampered overall objectives. However, communication costs continue to be a problem and installation of a computer network within the delegation is a priority. On the road, new vehicles are also needed. Delegate positions, especially in health, need to be filled and these vacancies are hampering programme implementation. A long-awaited health review, scheduled for late August, should improve future activities.

Operational Developments:

Initial problems regarding drug distribution early in the winter months did not severely delay the distribution of medical supplies to health institutions. The distribution of coal for heating of 24 hospitals was effective - there was an increase of 50-70% patients being treated in acceptable conditions. The water and sanitation project has encourage the National Society (NS) to develop a wat/san unit at headquarters level. The Government has recognized the work by the Red Cross and has been very supportive in the planning process of the next phase of the water and sanitation project. The Red Cross capacity in Disaster Preparedness has increased, whereby a first coordination meeting was held with participants from UN agencies, the Federation and Government indicating a joint cooperation in Disaster Response

Disaster Response

Typhoon Relief Operation:

Typhoon Prapiroon (Tropical Storm No.12) hit the Northeast coast of the DPRK late on 30 August 2000. As a result of quick response to the victims in South Hamhung Province the following was achieved during the operational period:

  • Provided 12,000 blankets to typhoon affected population.
  • Provided 2,400 cooking sets to affected families.
  • Provided 12,000 jackets and shoes each to the affected people.
  • 10 rolls of plastic sheeting provided in two district only.
  • 3,607 container of water purification tablets has provided to all the affected areas.
  • 149 cartoons of high energy BP-5 biscuits provided.
  • 120 First Aid kits provided to cover all the affected areas.


Wat/San initiatives in typhoon affected areas:

Although there were no outbreaks of water borne diseases, it was reported that the water conditions were significantly worsened after the typhoon disaster. Water purification tablets were distributed and the boiling of water only served as a short term solution. During the harsh winter months it was impossible to assess the WAT/SAN situation for the most vulnerable people residing in the typhoon affected areas. However the situation was assessed in April. Shortly after, procurement of water pipes and accessories had been received. However transportation to targeted areas is still on going. WAT/SAN programme in South Hamgyong province commenced in July with a target completion date by end of September 2001.

Monitoring:

Distribution plans were prepared by the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (RCSDPKR) in cooperation with the Federation delegation. From February Field and DP Delegates have been traveling extensively to the region, visiting families /beneficiaries and working with local Red Cross to monitor reporting tasks. Needs of beneficiaries were addressed during discussions with chiefs of cooperative farms, staff and volunteers of county and provincial RC branches.

Constraints:

With the local population living on marginal food rations, the typhoon disaster brought further damage across the country to agriculture production, public building, land, industry, road and rail network. With restricted access to some affected locations due to road washouts and destroyed bridges, the regions were also affected by lack of raw materials, electricity and fuel. Most reconstruction was undertaken by manual labour and materials were transported by ox or bull cart.

This winter has been the harshest since 1949, restricting transportation, further delaying the programme.

BP-5 Distribution:

Stocks of BP-5 biscuits were stored in 4 regional warehouses donated by Norwegian Red Cross. To best utilize those fit for consumption, a proposal was made by NS and approved by Federation to distribute the balance. With data supplied by local RC branches and health authorities it was agreed 1,543 cartons be distributed to 27 nurseries and 14 kindergartens in 5 provinces. A total of 5,218 beneficiaries.

An instruction manual was also handed out in Korean so that correct use could be made to the beneficiaries. Monitoring was conducted during distribution by Federation DP and Field Delegates.

Disaster Preparedness

Objectives:

  • To further improve disaster preparedness and response structures and systems at national, provincial and county level.
  • To improve the human resource base needed for disaster preparedness and response in the DPRK Red Cross
  • To increase awareness of disaster risks and the coping mechanisms of the population in high risk areas.
  • To develop an effective warehouse system and to pre-position emergency relief items in strategic locations to assist some 30,000 people; to develop mechanisms for the rapid mobilization of emergency relief items.


DP/DR Training/Workshop:

  • 2 days workshop for 22 Participants were conducted by the DP/RD from NS in the South Hamgyong.
  • 3 day DP/DR Training/workshop for 30 Participants from different Counties/City of North Pyongan Province.


The main objectives were:

  • To strengthen the National Society’s capacity in terms of skill and knowledge
  • Provide basic knowledge on DP/DR as well as dissemination of Red Cross principles to heighten the profile of Red Cross.
  • Establishing a disaster preparedness plan and response.
  • Other topics include VCA, Sphere, CBDP, Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, and CBFA.


Translation of "Sphere Project":

The Federation Delegation supported the integration of the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response into the training programme. The Sphere documentation has been translated into Korean language and will soon be printed.

Developed and Translation of Training Module:

The training module on Basic Disaster Preparedness and Response has been developed into the Korean context by the Federation Delegation. It has been shared with the NS DP/DR Department, after the finalization, the training module will be translated into Korean language for distribution.

Geographical coverage and hazard/risk mapping:

The South Hamgyong Province was previously a non-operational area for Red Cross, after the experience of typhoon disaster this province included in the programme for 2001.

The data available on hazards, their frequency, geographical distribution, vulnerable population, exiting capacity were very limited. Therefore the National Society has drawn up hazard/risk maps based on the historical recollection of disasters over the past few years including recent typhoons.

Recruitment of DP officers for provincial branches:

The recruitment of 15 DP officers is currently in process.

DP/DR Joint meeting between UN agencies, FDRC and Red Cross:

Initiated by the Federation/NS, on 14 June 2001 at RCSDPRK, a joint meeting between UN agencies, the Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee (FDRC), and Red Cross was held, to prepare a common contingency plan for future disasters. Present were WFP, UNDP, UNICEF and OCHA. NS took a lead in this meeting and issues discussed were: risk mapping, VCA, early warning system, communication, current stock, and establishment of working group and DP training. WFP showed keen interest in providing food for stock piling in RC warehouses. An agreement between WFP/Federation/NS should be reached. Once this agreement is reached WFP will provide the food for stockpiling. This will be entirely emergency food stock.

Current Emergency Stocks:

In strategic location to assist 30,000 people.

  • Food - 424 metric tonnes
  • Blanket - 34,461
  • Cooking Set - 1,147
  • Plastic Sheeting - 123 Rolls + 389 Bales
  • Water Containers - 6,000.
  • Water Tank - 20 Kits
  • Water Purification Tablets - 3.5 million
  • First Aid Kit - 856 Boxes
  • Winter Jacket - 3,260


Equipment for the emergency rescue and relief measures:

  • Hospital Tent - 19
  • Rubber Boat inc. motor - 8
  • Water Pump - 5 Kits
  • Life Jacket - 90
  • Safe Helmet - 1,520
  • First Aid Helmet - 600
  • First Aid Waistcoat - 600
  • Rubb Hall (storage tent)- 1 Kit


Constraints:

The DP/DR department needs further training as well as more staff at headquarters and provincial branches. Also, the lack of public awareness on DP/DR should be addressed. However, after several training/workshop volunteers and staff members have a clearer concept of DP/DR.

Exchange visit to Nepal Red Cross by DP personnel of RCSDPRK:

To facilitate sharing of knowledge, skills and experience in Disaster Preparedness, the Federation and RCSDPRK arranged a two-week training visit to Nepal Red Cross Society in June/July for three members of the DP department and for the Federation DP Delegate 2001. Areas of focus during the visit included: Disaster Preparedness Planning, Emergency Contingency Planning, CBDP, Response Mechanism, Warehouse Management, Human Resource and Organizational Development, Linked between disaster and development, and Warehousing techniques.

Health and Care

Drug Distribution Project

Objective 1

  • To improve general health care for outpatients by providing basic medicines and medical supplies to 1,690 public health facilities at county hospital, ri (village level) hospital and ri clinic level in the four Red Cross operational areas in 2001 and 2002.
  • To increase the professional knowledge and skills of government staff working at health facilities by providing them with updated medical guidelines and training in the rational use of drugs and standard treatment schedules, in close cooperation with WHO and the Ministry of Health (MoH) in 2001 and 2002.

This year the project is covering 49 counties in 3 provinces and 1 municipality (North and South Pyongan, Chagang and Kaesong). International organizations gained access to one new county in South Pyongan province from November 2000, and this county has been included in the project. The Red Cross operational area covers 3 Provincial hospitals, 64 City/county hospitals, 79 Industrial hospitals, 294 Ri hospitals, 88 Poly clinics and 1178 Ri clinics which are receiving drugs and medical supplies every 3 months.

The distributions in November/December 2000 covered the consumption in first quarter 2001. Due to late incoming drugs, 16 county/industrial hospitals and 213 Ri clinics did not receive any drug kits.

The distribution in March 2001 was divided in two phases due to problems concerning storage and transportation of drugs in the winter season. Because some of the drugs had been exposed to subzero temperatures, three injectable drugs were removed from 59 county hospital kits and one drug from 293 Ri hospital kits after consultations with the supplier.

Distribution overview January - June 2001

Provinces
Date
Number of kits
(units)
Distributed to
institutions
Donor
North Pyongan,
Chagang, South
Pyongan, Kaesong
Distribution:
March 16.- April 4.
Warehouse
monitoring:
March 21. - April 12.
59 County hospital kits
293 Ri hospital kits
1266 Ri clinic kits
(1 distribution)
Provincial, county, city, industrial and Ri hospitals.
Poly clinics and Ri clinics
Danish Red
Cross/ECHO
North Pyongan,
Chagang, South
Pyongan
Distribution
March 16.- April 4.
221 sterilisers Provincial, county, city and industrial hospitals Netherlands Red
Cross
North Pyongan,
South Pyongan and
Kaesong
Distribution
April 18. - 24.
Monitoring
April 18. - May 3.
90 County Hospital
Kits + 18000 amps
Ergometrine
County, city and industrial hospitals Netherlands Red
Cross
North Pyongan,
Chagang, South
Pyongan, Kaesong
Distribution
May 29. - June 22.
Monitoring
May 30. - June 28.
149 County hospital kits, 293 Ri hospital kits, 1266 Ri clinic kits.
(2nd distribution)
Provincial, County, city and industrial hospitals, Ri hospitals, Ri Clinics Danish Red
Cross/ECHO,
Norwegian Red
Cross and
Netherlands Red
Cross
North Pyongan,
Chagang, South
Pyongan, Kaesong
Distribution
May 29. - June 22.
Monitoring
May 30. - June 28.
600 Major Surgical
instrument kits
Provincial, county, city and industrial hospitals Norwegian Red
Cross
South Pyongan Distribution
May 30. - June 22.
Monitoring
June 16. - June 28.
37 County hospital kits + 7400 amps of ergometrine.
(3rd distribution)
Provincial, County, city and industrial hospitals. Netherlands Red
Cross
South Pyongan,
Kaesong
Distribution
June 26. - June 28.
Monitoring
June 27. - July 3.
306 Ri Clinic kits
(Remaining stock
ECHO contract)
Poly clinics and Ri clinics Danish Red
Cross/ECHO

Monitoring

In addition to the general monitoring, special focus was given to storage of drugs and heating of the institutions in the winter months. Institutions, due to lack of coal, had many closed inpatient departments, especially in Ri hospitals. It was reported that most of the treatment was carried out in homes by household doctors and hospital specialists. In hospitals where coal was supplied, the number of inpatients increased by at least 50%.

Also some hospital pharmacies had problems with heating, and in a few institutions frozen drugs were seen by delegates. In June priority has been given to monitoring of County and Industrial hospitals to follow up the distribution of surgical instruments kits. In general, the level of activity in hospitals has increased compared to the winter months. The delegates experience free access to whatever institution they wanted to visit, given 5 days warning. On a few occasions delegates has been allowed to visit patients’ homes. In total 216 health institutions and warehouses have been monitored by Federation delegates during the period under review. In addition the NS field monitors have visited 580 health institutions.

Sterilisers

This year’s distribution of 221 sterilisers covered the last part of a general distribution to all hospitals. The sterilisers can be heated by any energy source, and have been highly appreciated by the hospital staff.

Surgical instruments

The last supply of surgical instruments from MOPH is reported to have taken place 5 to 20 years ago according to the directors and surgeons in different hospitals. The present distribution consists of general instruments for abdominal and soft tissue surgery. The discussions with the directors and surgeons about the composition of the instrument kit have been open and they have expressed their high appreciation for the instruments. More specialized instruments for abdominal surgery have been requested by the surgeons. Many of the old instruments delegates have seen have been rusty and outworn. The needle holders and forceps have had very bad grips. Both represent risk factors during operations.

In addition to what is distributed in the medical kits, and small and irregular quantities distributed by MOPH, there are uncovered demands for anesthetics amounting to an increase of 50 % in comparison to the present supply. These needs are covered by general analgesics, morphine and Koryo drugs. This means that many patients probably still suffer from great pain undergoing surgical treatment. Delegates have not seen functioning gas anesthesia in the hospitals. There is a further need for surgical instruments such as gynecological/obstetrics, pediatric and orthopedic instruments.

Medical kits

In all visited hospitals, the stock records have been well kept, and drugs have been on stock according to the stock-cards. In general, there is good order in the pharmacies, and ergometrine has been stored in refrigerators. However, with the irregular power supply the quality of cold storage varies. In discussions with hospital doctors, there is uniform feedback that the most needed drugs are antibiotics, anaesthetics, antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs. In general, the western drugs are said to cover 30 % of the total consumption. The rest is covered by locally produced herbal medicines. The herbs are mostly collected by the institution staff themselves.

Warehouse monitoring

In general all visited warehouses are kept in good order and the waybills, stock cards and distribution plans are present and correctly filled out. Some warehouses are too hot in summer, but everybody claims to have refrigerators to store temperature sensitive drugs, at least in the county hospitals.

Increased knowledge of government health staff

The drug manual published last year by WHO, UNICEF and Red Cross is used in most of the health institutions visited. In general, it is emphasised that the skills of the doctors are sufficient, and that the problem is only the lack of supplies.

A WHO-supported project in MOPH is launched to produce a comprehensive handbook for primary health care doctors, covering topics in diagnosis, treatment and drugs. The Red Cross is now considering to support this project.

Constraints

There are three main constraints to meet the objective:

  • Irregular supplies of medicines and medical supplies
  • Temperature control in the storage and transportation of drugs
  • Lack of access to basic data and constraints on random monitoring

To ensure a better coordinated and regular supply of drugs, efforts have been made to increase dialogue with donors. Furthermore, representatives from both ECHO and governmental humanitarian offices have been invited to visit the delegation and Red Cross branches in the field to observe distributions and monitoring.

The temperature control of the central warehouse has been improved by acquiring a new warehouse. For the coming winter, efforts have been made to have the supplies arriving in DPRK early enough for distribution before the winter season commences. (For storage in hospitals, ref. winterization, objective 3.)

The issue of random monitoring is raised with authorities regularly, both by the Federation and the Humanitarian/Development Working Group. The Federation continues to actively support the National Society in its dialogue with the authorities in order to promote acceptance of information collection for monitoring and impact assessment. Nevertheless, relative to other agencies operating in DPRK, the Federation, due to its close partnership with the local Red Cross Society, has good access to institutions and vulnerable populations.

An external review of the health program will be undertaken in August/September 2001.

Health promotion training

Objective 2: To reduce the prevalence of a number of communicable diseases by improving the knowledge and skills of health workers and Red Cross volunteers in specific topics related to priority health care issues and concerns

Diarrhoea Workshops

Gastrointestinal disorders continues to be the most frequent disease reported by health institutions. Priority has therefore been given to conduct workshops on prevention and early treatment of diarrhoea.

A total of 17 workshops for 355 participants have been conducted in all four provinces in the operational area in June and July. The participants are either Community Health Workers, First Aiders or workers in Nurseries/Kindergartens. The curriculum and the training materials have been updated this year, and special emphasis is put on the use of ORS. The number of participants is approximately half men and half women. After the initial training, the entire workshops are now conducted by RCSDPRK staff, and with the delegates acting as facilitators only.

All participants have been very active during the workshops. The Red Cross branches have requested training to be conducted more often. It seems, that Community Health workers and RC volunteers have a very important role in health promotion in the communities. An evaluation of the workshop is expected to be completed in July.

Acute Respiratory Infections Workshops

These workshops were planned for the winter season 2000/2001, however due to lack of delegates, they had to be postponed. The preparation of Flip-charts and other materials for the workshops have been completed, and the workshops will start in September.

Constraints

A gap in availability of health delegates for missions to DPRK has resulted in resource shortage in the delegation. There are also constraints on availability of participants for training/education workshops during the planting and harvesting seasons.

Lack of indoor heating makes it impossible to conduct training in the months December - March.

Training is not sufficient to reduce the incidence of communicable diseases. Individuals also require access to safe water, appropriate sanitation services and energy for heating.

A priority for the coming months is the establishment of closer coordination between health training and water and sanitation activities.

Winterisation Project

Objective 3

  • To improve the operational capacity of health institutions in winter (a four month season - November, December 2001/January, February 2002, and November, December 2002) by providing coal for heating the operating theaters, emergency and outpatient areas of 66 provincial, county and city hospitals in 2001 and 2002.
  • To improve conditions by providing plastic sheeting for repairing windows in 66 provincial, county and city hospitals in 2001.

The heating health institutions programme was initiated with the objectives to provide coal to the hospitals for two months when treatment faces most difficulties in order to
  • ensure minimum temperature, of +15 to +20°C for proper treatment of inpatients
  • increase the admission rate to 70% of capacity and improve drug use efficiency.

The Norwegian Red Cross agreed to contribute towards the procurement of coal for the winter 2000/2001, The coal was distributed to 22 city/county hospitals and 2 provincial hospitals in North Pyongan Province and Kaesong Province, since coal was not at all available in those particular provinces. An agreement was signed between the Federation and DPRK Red Cross on 29 January 2001 which comprises of several points including random monitoring of the coal distribution. The Logistics team managed to secure the procurement of 2,028 MT of good quality coal locally at a favorable rate which were distributed as follows:
  • 2 Provincial Hospital X 222MT/2 months = 444MT
  • 22 County Hospital X 72MT/2 months = 1,584MT

The coal was delivered to the hospitals between 8-15 February 2001 as per the schedule. Monitoring trips were arranged starting from 13 February 2001. As of end March 2001, second or third round of monitoring had been done at 21 county hospitals and 2 provincial hospitals by the Federation delegates. The monitoring reports had been recorded in the standard format developed by the DPRK Federation Delegation. It was reported that the supply of coal was extremely helpful for the recuperation of the inpatients, especially psychologically, as well as the profile of Red Cross in the region. The number of patients were reported to be increased by more than two-fold in all the hospitals where coal was supplied and the room temperature was between +15C to +25C. Previously the number of patients were dwindling during winter as the temperature in the hospital’s rooms and operation theaters were in many places as cold as +/- 0°C to +5°C. Furthermore, the quality of the coal was extremely good which were appreciated by the hospital authorities.

Monitoring:

In addition to regular monitoring, the DP Delegate was able to conduct four random monitoring visits to four hospitals. Other delegates also assisted in monitoring this project by including coal in their agenda during their regular health monitoring visits.

Water and Sanitation Project

Objective 4

  • To provide 81 ri-hospitals with safe and clean water in 2001, as part of an ongoing project.
  • To provide sufficient quantities of potable water for 300,000 beneficiaries in 30 villages through 300 water points, as from mid 2001.
  • To build capacity to increase access to safe water, adequate sanitation and improved personal hygiene
  • To train RCSDPRK counterparts, with the aim of creating a much needed water and sanitation unit within the RCSDPRK.


Rehabilitation of ri-hospitals

In the period January - June 2001 the final part of 41 ri-hospitals of the 3 year program for rehabilitation of water and sanitation system in 36 hospitals and 111 ri-hospitals was executed. The aim was to improve the supply and hygiene conditions for patients and medical personnel by providing adequate water and sanitary conditions.

The material for the last part was ordered in October 2000 and delivered in January 2001. Due to the cold winter with hard frozen ground no work could be implemented before March. The monitoring was carried out in Spring by three technicians and the Federation and DPRK RC water and sanitation specialists. The 41 projects were almost complete by the of June, only minor supplementing work have to be added in July.

Education-workshops

The NS water sanitation unit are still weak in knowledge, but will improve with workshops based on a manual in basic water and sanitation which will be produced for participants from county Red Cross in the 4 provinces of Federation responsibilities. The remaining 8 provinces will be educated in the same way by the NS. Due to a shortage of time, the first workshop had to be moved from the last week of June to the first week of August.

Community health and water-sanitation delegation

A Federation/DPRK RC health and water-sanitation design undertook a feasibility study/design mission in May. The recommendation of the team was to change the direction of water and sanitation activities from rehabilitation in hospitals to rehabilitation of water and sanitation services in rural communities. A proposal for a community based water and sanitation and health promotion project will be launched in the 2002-03 Federation Appeal for DPRK.

Chlorine distribution

Of 25 metric tonnes of calcium hypochlorite, 65% have been distributed to 50 county hospitals or county Red Cross for further distribution to hospitals, ri-hospitals and ri-clinics. During monitoring visits to county warehouses, delegates have also monitored distribution of chlorine powder. Information has been provided to health institutions on further handling and distribution of the chlorine.

CBFA (Community Based First aid)

Objective 5: To provide timely, effective and efficient assistance to the community by improving the Community Based First Aid capability of the DPRK Red Cross, using a community based approach. This will incorporate an element drawing attention to the gender issue.

After completion of the Master training in the autumn 2000, a first training of trainers (TOT) workshop was conducted in March with 20 participants from 20 Counties. All participants received Flip charts and handouts to enable them to conduct their Training of volunteers (TOV).

First TOV workshop was conducted in Sinuiju in June with 20 participants. The participants are working in 10 First Aid posts in Sinuiju county. The NS is highly interested in the CBFA project and they will train 400 participants (20 workshops, 20 participants in each) during 2001. The original plan was to train 240 volunteers. First Aid material donated by Norwegian RC will be distributed to each First Aid Post participating in the training. Monitoring of the activities at the First Aid posts will be given high priority in the coming months.

Malaria

Objective 6

To decrease the incidence of malaria cases (to minimize recurrent epidemics) in the Red Cross operational areas in 2001 and 2002 through:

  • Provision of sufficient anti malarial drugs (Chloroquine /Primaquine) for 100,000 cases.
  • Extensive health education for community health workers/first aid workers.

Malaria still seems to be the disease that causes most concern among people in the rural areas. With 73,000 reported cases in the Federation operational area last year, The Red Cross is providing drugs for 100 000 patients in 2001. Due to lack of diagnostic tests there are still uncertainties about the number of cases. However, this year WHO is providing 4.5 million tablets and a large amount of diagnostics and laboratory equipment together with bed nets to be distributed through MOPH.

Preparations are made to conduct 20 workshops for 400 Community Health Workers and Red Cross volunteers in July and August.

Health Care Self-sufficiency

Objective 7

Through the NS, MOPH is regularly informed about the Red Cross program and the progress of the projects. Federation Health Coordinator together with his counterpart have meetings with representatives from the Ministry on major issues connected with the program. In these meetings possible future changes in the program are discussed, but so far the MOPH want a continuation of the Red Cross support at least at the same level.

Due to the recurrent disasters they don’t see any possibility for increased support for the hospitals through the public distribution system. The present support from the Red Cross in the four provinces, enables the MOPH to direct their support to institutions in other parts of the country. Thus the present program has an indirect impact on vulnerable persons all over DPRK.

So far, there are no indications that the MOPH has plans for reforming the health system. Federation delegation has asked MOPH for a meeting regarding possible better access to morbidity data which can give indications on the impact of the program. There is regular contact with health professionals from WHO and UNICEF to coordinate the support and to utilize local production of ORS.

Institutional and Resource Development

Following discussions with the NS in the second half of 2000 an initial document on Organisational/Resource Development (OD/RD) was submitted to the Secretariat. In February an assessment/planning team headed by the OD/RD delegate in Bangkok Regional Delegation visited DPRK and prepared a proposal for a three year program. This program will be launched in the 2002-03 Federation Appeal for DPRK. The first workshop held in DPRK Red Cross on Governance/Management was conducted in early July 2001.

Regional Cooperation

Through close cooperation with the Regional Delegation in Beijing the DPRK delegation is provided with logistics support like visitor service, administrative matters and some procurement. The country delegation has also been supported by the Regional Delegation in Bangkok regarding programming and training of NS staff in the fields of OD/RD and communication training

Coordination and Management

Objective 1: To continue to provide coordinated support and assistance to DPRK Red Cross for the planning and implementation of the programmes to be supported by the Federation.

A planning meeting to discuss the process for the development of the CAS was held in Beijing. This was followed by a draft CAS which was submitted to the Secretariat for comment. A further draft is being prepared for distribution to all partners for their input. The development of the DPRK RC development plan is also ongoing.

The system developed within the DPRK operation was to provide informal operational reports to Geneva and the Participating National Societies (PNSs) was interrupted for some months in the beginning of the year due to Secretariat constraints. However, this has been overcome in the latter months. Indications are that these reports are well received by the PNSs. Donor reports submitted to the Secretariat have unfortunately not reached the targeted donor in timely manner. This has in some cases caused dissatisfaction to the PNSs concerned.

The main coordination of international support is carried out by the Desk in the Secretariat. However efforts through a number of contacts by the delegation and NS have proven to be effective to some extent. Visiting officials from various donor countries have been received and briefed by HOD and NS on Red Cross activities.

Visits in 2000 to numerous embassies in Beijing by HOD have since been followed up in this period under review.

A Swedish Red Cross Society delegation visited DPRK in March and a Norwegian Red Cross Society delegation visited in June.

Ongoing issues regarding the Status Agreement for the Federation in DPRK is still unresolved but discussions continue with the relevant government bodies.

Objective 2: To ensure that the resources contributed to programmes of the DPRK Red Cross are effectively targeted and efficiently used.

Initial slow financial support from the donor to the programmes has by mid year been improved. With support from Kuala Lumpur, the delegation is able to follow the pattern of income and expenditure as required.

The NS financial section has expressed interest in strengthening their financial management system. However, due to internal time and availability by both delegation and NS staff this has yet to take place.

Objective 3: To promote the work of DPRK Red Cross among the donor community in DPRK, and the domestic and international audiences.

Donor representatives present in DPRK participate regularly in the weekly interagency meeting chaired by the Humanitarian Coordinator. At these meetings the HOD gives a brief report on the program achievements and in special cases approach the donors on more specific matters. In close cooperation with the NS several field visits for donors have been arranged during the period under review. The Deputy Head of Swedish SIDA visited DPRK and participated in a field trip to Mundock to observe the ongoing Red Cross wat/san project. Likewise field trips have been arranged for the Norwegian Ambassador in Beijing, the British Ambassador in DPRK and representatives from the Finish embassy in Beijing. In connection to the visit of the Chairman of EU, several representatives from the international media were briefed on Red Cross programmes and met with senior representatives of the NS. Efforts have been made to invite media representatives to DPRK to follow the work of the Red Cross, however clearance by the Government for such visits has so far not been granted.

Objective 4: To mobilize the required resources for the implementation of the programmes

Due to the additional workload on the desk in the secretariat during the India earthquake operation, many of the regular contacts with donors were unfortunately interrupted. Hence, a slow response to the appeal has been the case in the first part of the year. This has lately been overcome and the coverage of the appeal looks at the moment encouraging.

Objective 5: To support capacity building

Several of NS staff have participated in workshops and training abroad in various subjects e.g. health administration, Humanitarian Law and Disaster Preparedness. The previous heavy turnover of NS staff has to some extend been reduced, hence the capacity amongst the various counterparts has increased. However, staff rotation after training has caused instability in the capacity building.

For further details please contact: Aurelia Balpe, Phone : 41 22 7304 352; Fax: 41 22 733 03 95; email: balpe@ifrc.org

All International Federation Operations seek to adhere to the Code of Conduct and are committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (SPHERE Project) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For further information concerning Federation operations in this or other countries, please access the Federation website at http://www.ifrc.org.

Hiroshi Higashuira
Head
Asia & Pacific Department

Peter Rees-Gildea
Head a.i.
Relationship Management Department

DPR Korea

ANNEX 1
APPEAL No. 01.48/2001
PLEDGES RECEIVED
10.08.2001
DONOR
CATEGORY
QUANTITY
UNIT
VALUE CHF
DATE
COMMENT
CASH

TOTAL COVERAGE
REQUESTED IN APPEAL CHF
>
11'826'783
51.3%
CASH CARRIED FORWARD
198'102

AMERICAN - PRIVATE
100
USD
169
18.04.2001
BRITISH - GOVT/DFID
196' 079
GBP
472'550
22.03.01
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMME
CANADIAN - GOVT
41' 144
CAD
44'538
28.03.01
PHILIPPINE DELEGATE
DENMARK - RC
2'850' 000
DKK
580'260
22.05.2001
HEALTH PROGRAMME & PURCHASE OF DRUGS
NETHERLANDS - RC
10' 000
NLG
6'859
16.07.2001
HEALTH AND CARE
NEW ZEALAND - RC
40
NZD
29
28.06.2001
NATIONAL COORDINATION
NORWEGIAN - RC
180'000
19.01.01
WINTERISATION PROJECT
NORWEGIAN - GOVT/RC
4'000' 000
NOK
1'720'539
08.06.2001
HEALTH & CARE, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, WATER/SANITATION
NORWEGIAN - GOVT/RC
170' 000
NOK
32'522
12.06.2001
LOGISTICS DELEGATE
SINGAPORE - RC
4'570
16.07.2001
SLOVENIAN - RC
7'000
10.05.2001
SWEDISH - RC
1'000' 000
SEK
173'700
07.03.01
WATER & SANITATION PROJECT
SWEDISH - GOVT/RC
5'250' 000
SEK
891'975
21.05.2001
HEALTH & CARE/ WATER & SANITATION
SUB/TOTAL RECEIVED IN CASH
4'312'813
CHF
36.5%
KIND AND SERVICES (INCLUDING PERSONNEL)
DONOR
CATEGORY
QUANTITY
UNIT
VALUE CHF
DATE
COMMENT
Australia Delegate(s)
89'691

Canada Delegate(s)
29'897

Denmark Delegate(s)
14'784

Finland Delegate(s)
42'382

Great Britain Delegate(s)
56'180

Norway Delegate(s)
51'581

Sweden Delegate(s)
116'303

NORWEGIAN - GOVT/RC
5'000' 000
NOK
995'856
08.06.2001
MEDICINES
NORWEGIAN - GOVT/RC
1'750' 000
NOK
353'912
12.06.2001
DRUGS & TRANSPORTATION
SUB/TOTAL RECEIVED IN KIND/SERVICES
1'750'586
CHF
14.8%