Though the situation brought on by the Tropical Storm Olga in July/August, which resulted in floods and landslides in the Kaesong area, the 3,000 people (581 families) who were worst affected, having lost their entire homes and belongings, are yet to be properly rehabilitated and are currently still living with relatives and in other temporary shelters. The local authorities have not been able to meet the rehabilitation needs of these people who are currently dispersed throughout the four counties of Kaesong City, Panmun, Jangpung and Kaepung.
Red Cross/Red Crescent Action

Food Distribution

A total of 340 metric tonnes of rice has been distributed on three separate occasions by the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Federation. This amount will last the 43,000 affected victims until mid-November 1999. The 150 metric tonnes of rice taken from the Kaesong branch's Disaster Preparedness stocks need to be replaced immediately due to the unpredictability of future disasters.

Local efforts to plant rice were also affected by the disasters and the harvest in December 1999 is not expected to yield enough for consumption and stock replenishment.

Rehabilitation

The situation of the 3,000 people still living in temporary accommodation cannot be allowed to prolong, primarily for health reasons. As it is not feasible to provide them with housing materials to rebuild their homes, the provision of household items such as cooking sets, water containers, water purification materials, blankets and essential furniture will provide the victims with basic necessities and lighten the load of those they are living with.

Relief equipment

As a result of the disaster which struck the Kaesong area and similar disasters in the north and south
Pyongan areas, the planned decentralisation of the very limited available relief equipment from Pyongyang
to all operational provinces and Wonsan in Kangwon, was hastened and completed. Equipment provided
to each location included one rubber boat, one outboard motor, ten life jackets and two large capacity tents for use as temporary shelter. Given the situation, however, this assistance is considered as inadequate. Other agencies have little or nothing to offer the people in terms of relief equipment.

Funding

Funding is urgently needed to facilitate the rehabilitation phase for victims of this disaster. An application has been submitted to the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) for financing the entire operation. See budget details here below:

Budget summary for the rehabilitation phase in CHF

Water treatment, 1500 bottles	8,000
Water containers, 1,500 units	12,000
Blankets, 3,000 pieces	28,800
Household items	44,400
Rice, 150 metric tonnes	73,200
Cooking kits, 3,000 units	48,000
Hygiene kits, 3,000 units	24,000
Total	238,400

Conclusion

The Red Cross Society of the DPRK has rapidly and efficiently provided an emergency response to the current situation and this is a direct result of its disaster preparedness programme. This small scale rehabilitation programme will help to bring relief to those families still in desperate need and without any other means of assistance.

Hiroshi Higashiura
Director
Asia & Pacific Department

Peter Rees-Gildea
Director
Operations Funding and Reporting Department