No. 01/021
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA IN 2002

The provision of humanitarian assistance by ROK NGOs and Government provides an essential source of relief to vulnerable sectors of the DPRK population. Without this continued support the humanitarian situation in the country would considerably worsen. ROK contributions were significant in meeting the basic needs of vulnerable sectors of the population throughout 2001. This support has continued with their recent contribution of 100,000 MTs of maize through WFP. In order to improve coordination between resident humanitarian organizations and those in ROK, this year OCHA will seek to establish a transparent mechanism that facilitates complementarity between the humanitarian strategy of the CAP, and the strategy of the wider regional aid community.

Last year the ROK's total humanitarian assistance to DPRK came to $135.39 million, up 19 percent from a year earlier, according to data compiled and released by the ROK Ministry of Unification. The assistance consisted of $60.67 million in general relief goods, $54.76 million for agricultural rehabilitation and $19.96 million in health and medical supplies. Of the support, $70.45 million came from the government sector and $64.94 million from the private sector.

According to the ROK Government these figures represent a decrease of 10.4 percent and an increase of 85 percent, respectively, from 2000. Ministry of Unification reported that major government sector items delivered were 200,000 MTs of fertilizer, 1.5 million pieces of children's underwear, 100,000 MTs of corn and anti-malaria vaccine. The last two items were given to DPRK via WFP and WHO, respectively. The fertilizer shipment was the third of its kind since 1999, when 115,000 MTs were delivered. The following year 300,000 MTs were given. The ROK Government also gave 500,000 MTs rice and maize to DPRK through bilateral arrangements in the first half of 2001.

Of the $64.94 million in private sector assistance, $42.92 million, or 66 percent, were delivered through organizations engaged in helping DPRK and the rest through the Korean National Red Cross. The agricultural goods that ROK farmers donated included apples, pears, persimmons, tangerines and carrots. A total of 384 individuals representing private organizations visited DPRK in 2001 to monitor the distribution of their goods. The number of visitors in 2000 was 144.

Fertilizer assistance, totaling 615,000 MTs over the last three years, made a significant contribution to the grain yield in DPRK according to the ROK Government. In 2001, the crop was estimated to have increased by 38 percent over the previous year, according to FAO/WFP. The October 2001 announcement said DPRK was forecast to harvest 3,540,000 MTs of grain. However, this amount is still 1.47 million MTs less than what is needed to feed the population.2

WFP PIPELINE IMPROVES DUE TO ROK CONTRIBUTION

The WFP Cereal pipeline should be sufficient until July following the recent ROK donation of 100,000 MTs of maize. This is contingent on the maize shipments beginning to arrive in DPRK from the end of February and the confirmed EU and US grain shipments phased over the following four months. Despite this contribution, there may be a short break for some beneficiaries in early March. In contrast, the pipeline for Sugar is about to break. Production of enriched blended food, which is designed for the youngest children, will cease in mid-March unless additional sugar shipments are received. This will leave vulnerable children at risk from the consequences of a poor diet consisting mainly of cereals.

HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMMES

FOOD ASSISTANCE

WFP Launches New Emergency Operation

The WFP EMOP 10141.0 came into effect January 1, 2002. Under this new emergency operation, and subject to the availability of resources, WFP will assist 6.4 million beneficiaries with 611,202 MTs of food aid at a total project cost of US$ 215.8 million. WFP's activities in 2002 are again targeted to the most vulnerable groups, especially young children and pregnant women, with assistance directed to food production deficit provinces and the more heavily urbanized areas in those provinces. New population figures as of end 2001 have been provided by the Central FDRC for all accessible counties. With total population now indicated at 22.3 million, this reflects a 1.9% increase over the end 1999 figures. The revised figures are already being used in the preparation of WFP distribution plans.

Pipeline Update

The WFP pipeline is heavily under-resourced. At the end of January, just 10% of the overall EMOP requirement had been confirmed. The US Government had been the only donor at that point to confirm contributions for the 2002 programme, though confirmation of 100,000 MTs of maize from the ROK in early February has improved the cereal pipeline. WFP was able to cover core beneficiary needs in January due to some carryover stocks and arrivals against contributions made in late 2001.

The US contribution of 105,000 MTs of mixed commodities has been scheduled to meet gaps throughout the first half of the year. The 65,000 MTs of cereals, already confirmed and tentatively scheduled for arrival between April and June, will cover cereal requirements following the arrival of the maize shipments. Sugar will run out by early March as no new donor pledges have been received. This is particularly worrying, as it is a basic ingredient in the locally processed, fortified food blends given to approximately three million young children.

Food for Work - FFW

The Management Review of FFW activities in 2001 began at the end of January, with the arrival of a mission from the WFP Regional Bureau in Bangkok. Preparations are already underway for the spring FFW window. Project proposals were expected by 5 February, with the assessments of the early projects being undertaken during the remainder of the month. The FDRC has expressed its interest in supporting agricultural production in South Hwanghae and South Pyongon provinces through the FFW schemes. However, WFP does not see these as priority areas for FFW.

Local Food Production

The noodle factories came on line in January after ending the pilot phase. Production output of fortified commodities (Biscuits, CSM, CMB, RMB and noodles) in the WFP-assisted facilities totaled 2,884 MTs, 65% of the monthly targeted output. Compared with December's production, this reflected an increase of 490 MTs. Low voltage and irregular power supply, along with delayed transport of food and packaging materials, have continued to hamper production during the month. UNICEF provides the premix used for fortification in the noodle factories. UNICEF and has indicated that resourcing of sufficient amounts of this ingredient may pose a problem in 2002.

Food Aid Liaison Unit - Steering Committee Meeting

The annual FALU Steering Committee met in Rome on 8 and 9 January. The meeting confirmed the ongoing support by FALU members for the continuation of the unit for the remainder of the year. The meeting was attended by Marv Frey from Canadian Food Grains Bank (CFGB), Rick Corsino WFP's DPRK Country Director, Kathi Zellweger from Caritas Hong Kong, Victor Hsu, Ulrike Felsenstein and Erich Weingartener from Action by Churches Together (ACT), and Umberto Greco from the FALU Office in DPRK. After the presentation of the FALU Annual Report FALU Member's submitted the following reports at the meeting:

• ACT reported that members had donated over US$491,000 towards a March 2001 appeal of US$1.93 m for DPRK. The ACT network, which had met prior to the FALU meeting, decided that a new appeal will be launched in March 2002, concentrating on pharmaceutical raw materials, agricultural inputs for food production, and supplementary food.
  
  
• Caritas held a five-year review in Beijing last November. The success of the meeting was greatly assisted through participation of two representatives of the FDRC. The review recommended that Caritas continue with its DPRK programme coordinated by Caritas Hong Kong. Future programmes will build on previous priorities, i.e. food, agriculture and health in the four east coast & northern provinces. In 2001, 65% of the Caritas appeal of US$3.28m were raised enabling 11 projects to be carried out. A new appeal will be launched in April. Caritas works through FALU for food aid and monitoring of medical inputs, the AREP programme of UNDP for agricultural inputs and UNICEF for health programmes. Caritas South Korea is now the strongest partner, and recently Oxfam Hong Kong has contributed to the Caritas appeal.
  
  
• CFGB shipped 10,000 MTs pulses in the year 2002. It has also supported the Caritas appeal for agriculture. In September a CFGB delegation visited DPRK and reached agreement with the FDRC for the implementation of an integrated nutrition and health programme to begin this year. The annual Canadian NGO meeting on DPRK will take place on 10 April in Toronto.

Food Aid Liaison Unit and Diakonie

On 30 December, 40 MTs of sugar donated by Diakonie-Germany arrived in Sinuiju for distribution in January to baby homes, children's centers and boarding schools (orphanages). Provinces that will receive support include Chagang, Kaesong, North Hwanghae, North Pyongan, Nampo, Pyongyang, South Hwanghae and South Pyongan Provinces. Duration of the supply should be for approximately 419 days.

Diakonie-Germany signed an agreement at the end of January to provide 250 stainless steel milk cans to the Hamhung Youth Goat Farm in South Hamgyong. Under the same agreement Diakonie will provide 9,000 sets of winter jackets, trousers and socks for children in kindergartens of five counties in Chagang Provinces. The apparel was purchased in DPRK in order to support local industry. Distribution is expected by mid February

On 10 January Caritas signed an agreement with FDRC for the Provision of equipment and medical supplies and a bicycle to 95 village hospitals/clinics in South Hamgyong Province. The value of this donation is approximately US$109.000. Implementing partners are WHO, MoPH, and FALU/WFP. Estimated arrival time in Pyongyang is March/April 2002.

German Beef

6,000 MTs of frozen boneless beef, contributed by the German Government, arrived on 13 November by MV Rain Frost. The beef was distributed to elderly people, children's homes, nurseries and pregnant and nursing women (using WFP beneficiary lists). The second shipment of beef of 6,400 MTs arrived at the end of January 2002. This project is managed by GTZ.

IFRC - DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

On 6 February the Red Cross held a workshop in Wonsan City to discuss and share the experience of the Kangwon Flood Operation. A total of 31 participants were present including ECHO, WFP, WHO, MoE&LP and FDRC.

Apart from experiences and lessons learned from the flood operation at Provincial and Count level, the major issues discussed during the workshop were emergency information networks, rapid assessment and communication in disaster, coordination with other agencies, and the strengths and weaknesses of the Red Cross response.

RELIEF ITEMS

Korean Sharing Movement Donates Winter Clothing

The Xinhua News Agency reported that The Korean Sharing Movement (ROK NGO) donated 50,000 sets of winter clothes worth US$632,000 to the DPRK at the end of December 2001. The donation was reportedly shipped to the Kangwon Province for flood affected families.

NGOs and ECHO Complete Winter Relief Projects

• CESVI with the support of ECHO delivered the following items to 458 children's institutions in Kangwon Province: 8,800 blankets, 7,000 winter clothes (3-4 yrs), 8,650 winter clothes (5-7 yrs), 4,500 padded pyjamas (0-2 yrs), 10,600 mattresses and 15,200 pairs of winter shoes. Counties receiving assistance included Ichon, Munchon and Sepho.
  
  
• Concern 15,500 nursery and kindergarten children were targeted in two counties (Hoechang and Songchon), in South Phyongan Province to receive winter relief items. These were two new Counties allocated to Concern's operational area in 2001.
  
  
• Hoechang had previously been closed to the international community. Nursery children were provided with pyjamas, blankets, and mattresses. Kindergarten children received anorak and trouser sets, winter boots and socks.
  
  
• Children's Aid Direct completed the distribution of 21,500 sets of winter clothing to vulnerable children, aged 5-12 years, in 3 cities and 3 rural Counties in South Hamgyong Province.

CAD assists Children's Homes in Hamhung

Children's Aid Direct support for the rehabilitation of a kindergarten orphanage (aged 4-8 years) and a boarding school orphanage (aged 8-16 years) in Hamhung City has progressed. Construction work on a washroom facility at the boarding school is expected to start in early March. Discussions with the schools' directors on procurement of educational, informational and recreational equipment have allowed CAD to draw up a list of required items for tender. It is expected that these items will be purchased and delivered to the orphanages in March.

This project, which is funded through the OCHA NGO Funding Mechanism, is an integrated project seeking to reduce health risks the children are exposed to by improving sanitation facilities whilst at the same time increasing the capacity of the staff to deliver quality education.

UNFPA Update for Flood Damage in Kangwon Province

UNFPA HQ provided a grant of US$ 100,000 in response to an emergency appeal for severe flood damage in Kangwon Province last October. The grant was used for the procurement of essential reproductive health drugs, medical equipment and expendable supplies, including material for repair and maintenance of the hospital buildings. The procurement took place in China and the consignments were transported form China to Pyongyang by rail and road.

The transport from Pyongyang to Munchon City was arranged in cooperation with UNICEF. UNFPA cited the cooperation with UNICEF as an example of good inter-agency collaboration. The Director of the Munchon City Hospital and The Chairman of the FDRC expressed their sincere thanks for the assistance provided for Munchon City Area, including Munchon City People's Hospital, surrounding Ri People's Hospitals and Polyclinics with the catchment population of 110,000 people. UNFPA, within its current regular resources, will continue to collaborate with Munchon City People's Hospital, one of 32 project hospitals included in the present country programme.

UNICEF UPDATE

UNICEF's annual planning has been completed. The emphasis this year will be on rehabilitation of malnourished children, preventative programmes in nutrition, immunisation, WES and basic education, the development of model approaches and low-cost strategies, and strengthening of the national capacity of service providers. Priority needs will be established and efforts focused on them. UNICEF will support ministry-led co-ordination in the various sectors.

UNICEF 2002 CAP Update-

UNICEF has appealed for US$10,374,000 as its part of the 2002 Consolidated Appeal for US$258 million. The largest components of the UNICEF appeal are essential drugs, EPI, and emergency nutritional rehabilitation and prevention of malnutrition. Contributions received by the end of January 2002 from the governments of Norway, the United Kingdom and Diakonie Emergency Aid, totalling US$1,950,820, cover 19 per cent of funding.

The Norwegian contribution of US$223,720 is for education. The UK contribution of US$1,714,284 is directed towards essential drugs, EPI, and water and environmental sanitation and has allowed UNICEF to start these projects. An additional contribution of US$12,816 from Diakonie will support local drug production.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

COUNTRY THEME GROUP ON HIV AIDS

HIV/AIDS is so far a limited problem in DPRK. However, more emphasis is needed on knowledge on strategies for prevention among policy makers as well as general awareness on HIV AIDS among the public. On the initiative of the UN Resident Coordinator, the Country Theme Group on HIV/AIDS was formed in December. The group is chaired by WHO, and has had three meetings to map out approaches.

Apart from the UN agencies, IFRC and some NGOs have been active participants in the Group. The Group has now prepared a joint action plan detailing the planned activities in 2002 related to HIV/AIDS. The activities focus on strengthening of the capacity building on prevention, improved knowledge and awareness at national and community level with particular attention to young people, improved capacity to detect and treat sexual transmitted diseases and improved safety on injections and access to safe blood.

The Theme Group is proposing a national workshop on strategies for prevention of HIV/AIDS later in the year with assistance of UNAIDS, and an awareness program for staff from the international agencies.

ECHO Supports Emergency Health Programme

The European Commission has taken a decision to allocate 1.89 million Euro for essential health actions in DPRK. The funds will be used to procure and distribute medical kits to more than 1,700 health institutions in the country and to re-launch the production of intravenous fluids in five hospitals.

In announcing the decision the European Commission stated that DPRK's continuing humanitarian crisis, which is linked to structural economic deficiencies, has had a major impact on the health of the population. Child and infant mortality has increased, chronic malnutrition persists and there has been growth in incidence of serious diseases including diarrhoea, acute respiratory infection, malaria and tuberculosis. The money will be channeled through the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), ECHO's implementing partners for this operation are the Danish Red Cross and IFRC for essential medical supplies and the French NGO Première Urgence for production of intravenous fluids.

IFRC

In December and January IFRC continued to support the National Red Cross. Activities included the distribution of dressing materials and paracetamol tablets to 20 First Aid posts, the running of a rational drug workshop for 20 doctors, head nurses and pharmacists in Tongchang County Hospital. IFRC reported that visits to 48 health institutions identified prevalent diseases as ARI, nephritis, cystitis, fractures as well as complications related to malnutrition.

UNICEF Hand over of Ambulances. UNICEF handed over four ambulances in January to the Ministry of Public Health under its programme of co-operation with the Government. The ambulances are for use by the provincial maternity hospitals in South Hamgyong, Kangwon, North Pyongan and North Hwanghae for maternal and child health activities.

Study visit on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Four technical and policy staff of the Ministry of Public Health and Pyongyang Pharmaceutical Factory undertook a study visit on Good Manufacturing Practices between 17-21 December 2001 in Thailand. The purpose of the visit was to learn and share experiences with Thai pharmaceutical organisations in Manufacturing Practices and local drug production. Particular attention was paid to issues such as quality assurance, procurement of raw materials, warehousing and utilisation of essential drugs in the public sector. The study tour was supported through a contribution from Diakonie Emergency Aid, Germany.

ASAN WELFARE FOUNDATION DONATION FOR TB RELIEF.

It was announced in January that the Asan Welfare Foundation donated US$100,000 to the Eugene Bell Foundation to help tuberculosis patients in DPRK. Eugene Bell has been providing tuberculosis treatment instruments like X-ray machines, as well as other health and medical assistance to DPRK. Asan officials expect their donation to contribute to eradicating tuberculosis in DPRK. The strengthening of the control and surveillance of communicable diseases, in particular tuberculosis, was one of the main objectives of the 2002 Common Humanitarian Action Pan as detailed in the CAP.

REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES

FOOD SECURITY

EuropeAid Agriculture Programme Contributions for 2002 (from budget 2001) are 19 million Euro for fertilizers by international tender and one million Euro for technical assistance. Fertilizers to be provided include 20,000 MTs of P2O5, 20,000 MTs of K20, and 60,00 MTs of Urea (approximate MTs).

Concern. The EuropeAid funded Food Security Project, in six Counties (Anju, Tokchon, Pukchang, Phyongsong, Sinyang, Yangdok) in South Phyongan Province, provided agricultural inputs to 36 co-operative farms. Inputs for 2001 included plastic sheeting, tractor tyres, pesticides and knapsack sprayers, seed - vegetable seeds, soya bean seed and winter wheat seed, and an DGDev in-kind donation of 1,680 MTs of NPK and 2,650 MTs of Urea. The project will continue until November 2002.

CESVI. The EuropeAid (DGDev) project in Kosan County, Kangwon Province is on-going. Agricultural activities were interrupted for the winter season. Mid term assessments were carried out in all the assisted farms to plan the activity of the next agricultural season. The following items were delivered to the farms; 210 MTs of gas oil for tractors, 950 MTs of NPK, 450 MTs of Urea and 7 rice threshers.

OCHA NGO Funding Mechanism and CAD. Children's Aid Direct EU-funded greenhouse project (1.08 million Euro) has seen the successful construction and rehabilitation of over 500 new greenhouses across three counties in South Hamgyong. The greenhouse project provides vegetables, an important nutritional supplement to a heavily cereal-based diet, to 55,000 children in the province. The OCHA NGO funding mechanism, which is supported by SIDA, has subsequently supported the initial EU project by providing funding for CAD to provide capacity building for local managers in the running of the greenhouse sites.

The Fund has allowed CAD to facilitate three educational based workshops for the 30 managers of the sites. The workshops were run by the Vegetable Research Institute in Hamhung and concentrated on information exchange and promotion of good horticultural practice. Funding also allowed CAD to provide basic, but essential, equipment to the greenhouse sites. This included light meters, soil pH meters, and thermometers. A fourth workshop provided basic training on the use of this equipment.

Reinforcing the educational component of the Project, the Fund's support allowed CAD to finance the production and printing of 350 sets of semi-technical posters. The poster sets contained 22 illustrations related to greenhouse management including ground preparation, seed cultivation and controlling air temperature and heat loss. Building on the posters, CAD collaborated with the Vegetable Research Institute (Pyongyang and Hamhung) and the Academy of Agricultural Science (Hamhung) to produce a technical handbook on different aspects of greenhouse management. These handbooks were illustrated with graphs and contained data on improving vegetable production in greenhouses.

CAD's approach, with the support of the Fund, has provided complementarity to the EU-funded project, which concentrated on developing infrastructure. The workshops, posters and handbooks provide the best opportunity to improve the management of the greenhouse sites and increase their vegetable production. An increase which carries direct benefits to improving the nutrition of children in South Hamgyong Province.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Concern. The Environmental Protection & Rehabilitation Project, funded by SIDA through the 2001 Consolidated Appeal, was completed at the end of December 2001. Inputs to 14 tree nurseries in South Phyongan Province was supported with the provision of seed, nursery equipment, protective clothing, and chemicals. Training materials in the form of Flipcharts in Korean were produced for Tree Nursery personnel. A Phase-2 of this project will commence at the end of January 2002, funded by SIDA through the 2002 Consolidated Appeal. Tree nursery locations include in Anju, Tokchon, Pukchang, Phyongsong, Sinyang, Songchon, Yangdok Counties of, and the Forestry Management Department central nursery, Sunan District.

UNDP - UNEP. The National Consultation on the First Draft State of Environment Report of DPR Korea for the UNDP-UNEP project "Strengthening Environmental Assessment and Reporting in DPR Korea" was held in Pyongyang from 9 - 10 January, 2002. Approximately 60 officials from DPRK Government Agencies and Institutes, UNEP mission and Mr. Abu Y.M. Selim, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. attended the Consultation.

WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION

UNICEF Overhaul of Drilling Rigs

From 21 to 30 January 2002, a senior technician from Ingersoll-Rand Mining and Construction Machinery Ltd. China, visited DPRK to overhaul two drilling rigs supplied in 1999 by UNICEF to the Ministry of City Management. At the same time, the technician carried out training in rig operation, repair and maintenance for twelve rig operators and managers from the MoCM (eleven men and one woman). The rigs have been used to drill water boreholes for use in children's institutions, in hospitals and in communities where the piped water supply system has failed. Over 200 boreholes have been drilled since 1999, of which 150 in 2001.

CESVI and the Swedish Government

SIDA approved an eight-month watsan project proposed by CESVI through the 2002 Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal. The project, which will start in April, addresses the rehabilitation of the water supply system of Chonnae town and co-operative farm Upnongjang, Kangwon province. Number of beneficiaries: 27,490 people.

HEALTH and NUTRITION

Pyongyang Children's Heart Disease Hospital

ROK media reported that a children's hospital for heart disease is expected to open in Pyongyang in the early half of 2002. The existing Pyongyang Medical University building is scheduled to be remodeled while the ROK assists with supplies of medical facilities and other equipment.

Officials from Seoul National University Hospital, including its head Park Yong-hyun, and the Korean Welfare Foundation visited Pyongyang between 19 and 22 January this year to donate medical equipment including cardiac-angiography worth US$533,000. It was reported that the Seoul University Hospital has provided over 200 different types of medical equipment worth 3.7 ROK won and made numerous visits to the North for installation of medical machinery.

The construction started after an agreement was reached between the DPRK Medical Society and Korea Welfare Foundation on technology cooperation in October 2000. The Foundation explained they started the project to improve medical treatment to the 0.8 percent of DPRK children born with heart disease.

http://english.joins.com/nk/article.asp?aid=20020125210834&sidà0

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

On 28-29 January the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) held its first meeting in Geneva. At this meeting, the Board formally established the Global Fund and adopted its structure and it's working procedures. Work to establish the Global Fund started less than a year ago in response to calls by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the G8 countries and many other Heads of Government in both developed and developing countries for a Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

The first Call for Pr