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East Asia - Programme Update no. 2 (MAA54001)

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IFRC
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This report covers the period 1/7/2011 to 31/12/2011

In brief

The IFRC’s East Asia regional office serves to support and build capacities within the national societies of the East Asia region. The region includes China, Mongolia, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, and Japan. The IFRC has annual programmes that support the national societies in China, Mongolia, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Japan – Earthquake and Tsunami – The IFRC has been supporting the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) since the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on 11 March. While the recovery is gradually picking up speed, survivors are still in much need of psychosocial and long-term recovery support.

In the past months, the IFRC has continued to provide human resource support in communications, reporting, logistics, finance and other areas through frequent visits from the East Asia Regional Delegation and Asia Pacific zone office as well as from the Secretariat in Geneva.

China – In the second half of 2011, China was hit by several floods and earthquakes. With the support of IFRC regional delegation, the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) responded swiftly to the serious disasters with relief items and other assistance needed.

In the past months, the IFRC has been supporting the RCSC in strengthening their capacities for disaster response, especially in the establishment and training of emergency response teams. Community-based programmes are also expanding, both in disaster risk reduction, community-based health and first aid, and integrated approaches to addressing needs.

DPRK – Consecutive floods caused by heavy rainfall and strong winds, together with the impact of typhoon Muifa which struck in early August, resulted in the destruction or severe damage of over 9,500 houses, rendering more than 25,000 people homeless between 23 June and 9 August, according to data provided by the DPRK government.

As an immediate response, the DPRK Red Cross in cooperation with IFRC distributed emergency relief kits, including family hygiene kits and water purification tablets to 6,876 flood-affected families who lost their homes and belongings. The IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal (CHF 3.49 million), focusing on providing support to the most vulnerable groups among the flood-affected population.

Mongolia – No major disasters happened in the country in the second half of the year. The IFRC continues to support Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS) on annual progammes. Training for a national disaster response team was held and strategic planning of the disaster management team for both emergency and community-based work was supported by the IFRC disaster management teams in Beijing and Kuala Lumpur.

Korea – The IFRC sent a high level delegation to the international Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conference in Busan on high level aid effectiveness. The Under Secretary General Mukesh Kapila gave a key speech at the plenary – emphasizing the position of the IFRC also as a development organization. The regional head of delegation along with others from the zone and Geneva met with the new president of the ROK Red Cross and government officials.