The European Commission is preparing a new emergency humanitarian decision of €2 million to help the estimated 500,000 people directly affected by the record high torrential rains that struck the Democratic People's Republic of Koreain the past weeks. The funds will be used to meet the basic needs of those directly suffering from the destruction caused by the severe floods, over a period of 6 months. All funds are channelled through the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel and will be allocated to implementing international humanitarian organisations.
Commenting on the impact of the floods and the humanitarian situation, Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid said: "The reports received from our field office in North Koreaand from all our humanitarian partner organisations have confirmed the disastrous situation faced by hundreds of thousands of north Koreans. In view of the significant needs, we are mobilizing a new package of € 2 million for emergency humanitarian assistance." This assistance will come on top of €100,000 of emergency assistance already made available from an existing reserve for water chlorination, and € 250,000 worth of essential drugs being re-directed from an existing program funded by ECHO to be immediately distributed to the flood victims.
ECHO's humanitarian response will focus on the provision of essential drugs and basic medical equipment, safe water, food, water and sanitation facilities as well as relief assistance including tarpaulins, blankets and basic household items. The funds will be channelled through the Commission's international humanitarian partners already present in the field and that have received the Government's agreement for external assistance. The United Nations launched yesterday an emergency Fund Appeal of USD 14 million to meet the humanitarian needs in DPRK.
In mid August of this year, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has seen its heaviest rainfalls of the past 40 years. Coupled with high winds, these heavy rains triggered extensive flooding, land and mudslides over six provinces of the country.
The severe floods caused unprecedented damage and destruction to public infrastructure, including health facilities and water supply systems. Tens of thousands of people have seen their house destroyed or submerged by the floods. The overall deterioration in the hygiene situation, lack of potable water and basic medical services increases the risk of outbreaks of diarrhoea, malaria and other water-born diseases.
Since 1997, the European Commission has provided € 122 million of humanitarian assistance to DPRK through its implementing partners. Over the last few years, the EC has been financing basic health and water and sanitation programmes, which will be completed in mid 2008.
More info on European Commission's humanitarian aid: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm
Amadeu Altafaj +32 (0)2 295 26 58
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