Please refer to programme updates 1 and 2 as well as the DPRK: Floods (MDRKP002), Final Report for additional information.

In brief

Programme purpose: The purpose of the International Federation programmes in the Democratic People's Republic

In brief

This programme update focuses mainly on the health and the disaster management programmes. The disaster management programme has been modified towards a community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) concept, after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Red Cross Society adopted recommendations from a comprehensive DPRK Red Cross disaster management review conducted in November 2008, as well as incorporating additional recommendations from a tree planting management

Period covered by this Final Report: 20 August 2007 to 15 May 2008

Appeal target (current): CHF 5,451,295 (USD 5,198,507 or EUR 3,340,430);

Final Appeal coverage: 105 %;

Appeal history:

- This Emergency Appeal was initially launched on 20 August 2007 for CHF 6,619,166 (USD

5,481,948 or EUR 4,074,586) for six months to assist 3.7 million beneficiaries.

- Disaster Relief Emergency Funds (DREF) was allocated on 15 August 2007 for CHF 250,000

(USD 205,572, EUR 153,355).

- Operation Update 3 revised the Appeal

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Red Cross is helping to replant trees in this once forest-rich country in a bid to curb floods and landslides worsened by decades of deforestation.

With food production remaining a crucial issue, however, the pressure from farmers to plant crops among the seedlings could threaten the success of the process. The project is supported by the Norwegian Red Cross through the International Federation of Red Cross

According to Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, the situation in North Korea is quite alarming. "During the next few months, 8.7 million people will require immediate food aid. Prognoses for next year suggest that the situation will worsen, because the ruling regime cannot independently produce enough food for the population," said

"Food aid alone is never adequate -- it's patchwork," he said at a press conference, where he highlighted that point in the context of the severe situation facing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. More than 6.5 million people in that country were relying on assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP) this year,

- World cereal production in 2008 is forecast to increase 4.9 percent to a record 2 232 million tonnes, considerably up from earlier predictions after better than expected results from the major harvests gathered in the past two months.

- Based on the latest production forecast, a significant improvement in the global supply and demand balance for cereals in the 2008/09 season can be expected. Even allowing for a larger increase in utilization than was reported in July, an 8 percent increase in world cereal stocks could be possible.

- International prices of most cereals

Summary update of the 2008 Programme of Work and funding

As of the end of September 2008, the World Food Programme still needs to raise nearly US$2 billion in order to meet beneficiary requirements for the year (as well as prepositioning needs for 2009). Compared to last month, the total number of beneficiaries assisted by WFP has grown by almost one million, exceeding 90 million for the first time in the year, while total requirements are growing towards

In July and August, Kaesong and its suburban farming villages had unexpected damage caused by floods and torrential rainstorms. The local party organized and sent 'prevention team for flood damage' to the City Management Department of every City and County People's Assembly. They ordered that cities should repair railroads, bridges, and levees that have the possibility of damaging the farming areas and cities, and to rebuild banks if there are any problems. If any district does not follow this directive, they will punish the people in charge immediately.