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DPR Korea: Floods - Aug 2015

Disaster description

Between 1 and 5 August 2015, torrential rains have caused floods in several Ri-s (villages) and in the outskirts of cities of south Hwanghae and north and south Hamgyong provinces of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). According to the State Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management (SCEDM), the Government of DPRK and the DPRK Red Cross Society (RCS), the floods affected 3,541 people, claimed 24 lives and 9 people are reported missing in more than 20 affected cities/counties. (IFRC, 21 Aug 2015)

During this reporting period, the country experienced a second round of flooding following Typhoon Goni. Although the country was not directly hit by the typhoon, many parts of the country were affected by heavy rainfall and flash floods brought by the system on 22 and 23 August. The greatest impact was felt in the northeastern city of Rason, near the border of Russia and China.

In two different major floods, the country received more than half of its annual average rainfall (321mm) causing wide spread damage and loss to lives, properties and belongings. According to the State Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management (SCEDM), the Government of DPRK and the DPRK Red Cross Society (RCS), the floods affected 6,473 families or approximately 22,656 people, claimed 89 lives, and 10 people are reported missing in more than 25 affected cities/counties....

In Rasin and Sonbong districts of Rason city, which are the worst affected areas, they experienced knee deep flood water, inundating 204,238 population of the city for 48 hours. The power supply collapsed and could not be resumed in three days, and at least two bridges at strategic points were broken which has affected the supply chain and caused significant delay in transportation...

The government has distributed food ration (500 gram/per person/per day) for 15 days and other basic necessities to the affected people. It has also mobilized construction unit of People’s Army for rehabilitation of damaged houses and infrastructure within 40 days.

As of 31 August, various humanitarian agencies, including WHO, WFP, UNICEF, FAO, and ICRC have contributed to the efforts in humanitarian assistance to affected population in Rason city. WHO has handed over an Inter-Agency Healthcare kit for 10,000 people for three months and four water tanks; WFP has released 5.5 MT of high protein biscuits; UNICEF has provided emergency child care kit; FAO purchased and handed over two portable generators, and ICRC has contributed one big health kit and 690 liters of fuel to the government for its humanitarian assistance to affected people in Rason city. (IFRC, 9 Sep 2015)

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