DPR Korea: Humanitarian Situation Information Bulletin Feb 2001

No. 2/01
- Cold weather continues into february
- Cases of severe malnutrition discovered in Sinuiju
- EC Fields technical assessment mission to DPR Korea
- Third Round of family reunion meetings held
- WFP resumes presence at all 5 sub-offices
- WFP food for work projects for 2001 start
- New factories for local food production open
- UNICEF prints Korean version of ‘FACTs for life’
- British Charge D'Affairs arrives in DPRK
- Canada and Spain establish diplomatic relations with DPR Korea
- CAP workshop held in Geneva

Humanitarian Situation update

The extremely low temperatures experienced in January carried over into the first 3 weeks of February. A warmer spell in the last 10 days of the month allowed for the beginning of preparations for the upcoming agricultural season with many fields being ploughed and made ready for planting. This is in sharp contrast to last year when land preparation did not start until mid-March due to the longer cold spell. The outlook for the agricultural season in 2001 appears better than in 2000; abundant snowfalls have refilled water reservoirs, the cold weather is likely to ensure that pest infestations are less prevalent than last year and an early start to the agricultural season are among the factors which lead to this conclusion. Conversely erratic weather patterns, which are being experienced across Asia may yet adversely affect production again in 2001.

The immediate outlook for the majority of the population remains difficult as the country emerges from the winter. The Public Distribution System completed distribution of the 2000 domestic harvest during January, with some provinces managing to utilise supplies into February. Distributions are continuing through the PDS as a result of a bilateral loan of 500,000 MTs of cereals (200,000 MTs rice and 300,000 MTs corn) by the Republic of Korea (ROK). Officials estimate that the ROK donation will enable the system to continue to function until May, albeit at a reduced ration rate of approximately 150 grammes of cereals per person per day. During a Canadian donor visit to a nursery in Sinuiju, North Pyongan province, World Food Programme Emergency Officers discovered a number of seriously malnourished children. Remedial action is being taken by WFP and UNICEF. This discovery highlights that further work needs to be undertaken to ensure that carers at nurseries can spot signs of malnutrition and refer children to appropriate institutions, where rehabilitation foods and treatment have been made available by UNICEF and WFP.

A focus of concern continues to be the condition of children who live in residential care homes (baby homes, orphanages and boarding schools). Agencies and NGOs are evaluating the distribution of humanitarian assistance to these homes to date and attempting to identify ways in which additional small inputs may be able to improve the situation for these children, who are mostly without parents.

The thus far limited response to non-food sectors of the Consolidated Appeal for 2001 (see table at foot of this page) is of concern. In particular the low response to activities envisaged in the agricultural sector is worrying at this point in the year, which marks the beginning of the agricultural season. The poor harvest last year has left the country increasingly reliant upon food-aid in 2001, with WFP increasing its assistance by some 30 percent over 2000. While it is clear that the country does not have sufficient land to become entirely self-reliant in food production, modernisation of the sector, as well as ongoing inputs support is required in order to produce production capacity. Activities included in the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Environmental Protection Framework, elements of which are included in the 2001 Consolidated Appeal, aim to meet some of the needs for rehabilitation in the agricultural sector.

Consolidated Appeal 2001 Update (as at 1 March 2001)

Compiled on the basis of information provided by the respective appealing agency to OCHA Headquarters, Geneva

* = Information provided by WFP Country Office DPR Korea

EVENTS DURING FEBRUARY

The European Commission fielded a Technical Assessment Mission to DPR Korea for two weeks from 6 February. The aim of the Mission was to assess needs for economic development in various sectors in DPRK and identify ways in which the EC may be able to assist. Sectors covered in the Technical Assessment include agriculture (including forestry), energy, transport, training, including in market economics and international financial affairs/trade/arbitration. At a meeting with humanitarian agencies the Mission emphasised that it wanted to avoid overlap with projects already being implemented by resident organisations. The Mission would also attempt to assess overall economic restructuring needs and identify current constraints. On the basis of the completed assessment, pilot projects would be identified for financing in the course of 2001. A follow-up meeting is planned to be held in March in Brussels to present and discuss the initial findings of the Mission.

The Charge D’Affaires of the United Kingdom, Mr. Jim Hoare, arrived in Pyongyang on 27 February to take up his duties following the establishment of diplomatic relations between Britain and DPR Korea in December 2000. Canada and DPR Korea established diplomatic relations on 1 February and relations were established between Spain and DPR Korea on 5 February.

The third round of family reunion meetings was facilitated by the DPR Korea and RO Korea Red Cross Societies. In Pyongyang, reunion meetings took place at the Koryo Hotel with the 240 people meeting 100 family members from RO Korea for the first time in 50 years. The Head of Delegation and the Logistics Coordinator for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) were invited to attend the initial meeting which took place in the presence of selected media, officials and Red Cross volunteers.

The Secretary General of the Malaysian Red Cross, a Federation delegate and a senior officer from the Swedish Red Cross visited DPR Korea to work with IFRC in drawing up a long-term plan for the future institutional and resource development of the National Red Cross Society.

The Humanitarian Working Group, the ad hoc group which oversees the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the Common Humanitarian Action Plan for DPR Korea, met in February to consider the issue of transition and development programming. It agreed that a set of principles were required to better clarify the terms of engagement on development issues. A small sub-group was established to oversee formulation of these principles. The Group agreed that it should be renamed as the ‘Humanitarian/Development Working Group’. It also agreed that there was a need to continue discussion on how to work towards a more sustainable form of longer-term programming. A key recommendation of the first meeting was that donor nations should be encouraged to harmonise their position on engagement with DPR Korea, clarifying for the Government the requirements for provision of development assistance.

Pursuant to the signing of the Master Plan of Operations for 2001-2003 the Government and UNICEF jointly signed the Project Plans of Action (PPAs) for 2001 on 12 February, covering activities financed from both the emergency and regular programmes. The PPAs were drafted after a series of consultations between the line ministries, NCC and UNICEF and reflect a proper mix of service delivery and capacity building activities. Progress of implementation will be reviewed jointly through quarterly, half-yearly and annual review meetings. If necessary, planned activities can be modified by mutual consent. The PPAs are designed to reflect priorities and programmes included in the UN Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeal for 2001.

The UNICEF Representative traveled to Australia on a fundraising mission. He met with Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) officials and the media and briefed them on the prevailing situation of children and women. The National Committee for UNICEF in Australia coordinated this visit.

On 8 February the Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee invited all members of the humanitarian community in DPR Korea to a Friendship Gathering on the occasion of the birthday of Leader Kim Jong Il.

The Food Aid Liaison Unit (FALU) Steering Committee met in Rome on 22 and 23 February at the offices of Caritas International. The meeting was attended by Kathi Zellweger of Caritas Hong Kong, Victor Hsu of Church World Service/ACT, Marv Frey of CFGB, Rick Corsino, WFP’s DPR Korea Country Director, and John O'Dea - Head of the FALU office in DPR Korea. A new Head of the FALU Office was chosen by the Steering Committee with effect from June 2001, initially for a one year period.

Action by Churches Together (ACT) and Caritas will be launching their 2001 appeals for DPRK during March and April respectively. These Appeals will be available at Reliefweb (http://www.reliefweb.int).

A workshop was held in Morges, Switzerland between 20 and 23 February to assess progress made in the preparation and implementation of the Global Consolidated Appeals Process. The Workshop was attended by the OCHA Officer for DPR Korea. The main conclusions and recommendations of the Workshop will be forwarded to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee for further action.

Food Security

Preparations for the Season

As noted on page 1, preparations for the agricultural season are now underway. Thus far the very limited donor response to agricultural programmes proposed under the Consolidated Appeal by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), (total requested is US$40,049,304) will have negative consequences for farmers relying on support for the provision of inputs from this source. Much remains to be done within the framework of the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Environmental Protection Programme (AREP), a joint Government/UNDP initiative. Despite the convening of a Round Table Meeting in Geneva last year and positive expressions by donor nations, support to the Programme since that meeting has fallen well short of expectations.

Input Donations

Planting of early crops should be underway in mid- to late-March with the requirement for a first application of fertiliser at the same time. In this context:

• Sweden has provided the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) with SEK 8 million (approx. US$811,000). FAO project OSOR/DRK/101/SWE has been established, entitled: ‘Support to the Double-Cropping Programme- Spring and Main Crops 2001’. In coordination with the Government, FAO will supply some 5,800 MTs of urea (final quantity will depend of actual costs). Delivery in Nampo port by 25 March 2001 has been requested by the national authorities in order to enable distribution to targeted farms in time for the start of the planting season.
  
  
• In February, 630 MTs of NPK (15:15:15), 100 MTs of NPK (6:10:25) and 220 MTs of Urea arrived in Nampo Port and were transported to North Hwanghae and other locations of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation’s agriculture programmes. The main activity undertaken by SDC in February was analysing last years data and experiences gained during the on-farm demonstrations on the eight co-operative farms in Miru and preparation of agricultural season 2001.
  
  
• The European Commission’s Food Security Unit under DG Development (EC DGDev) will receive, during the course of March 20,000 MTs of fertilisers for distribution in South Hwanghae and South Pyongan, as part of its programme of assistance in the agriculture sector in 2001.
  
  
• Also funded by EC DGDev, Triangle reports that 315 MTs of fertilisers (Urea) and 1,000 agricultural tools have been received and distributed to the 9 cooperative farms in the region of South Pyongan targeted for the pilot project for the revival of the cultivation in cooperatives farms. More details on this project can be found in the January Bulletin.

Other Food Security News

The Agricultural Sub-Committee has started to convene again now that the agricultural season is beginning. The meeting, scheduled twice monthly, is a forum for sharing of information and ideas on agriculture in the context of DPR Korea. The Sub-Committee has also agreed that focus in 2001 should be placed upon particular issues, with thematic working meetings arranged on an ad hoc basis. The Sub-Committee also monitors the implementation of the agricultural and disaster preparedness elements of DPR Korea’s Common Humanitarian Action Plan.

Concern Worldwide reports that an Improved Food Security Project was initiated in November 2000, with an implementation period continuing until November 2002, representing a move towards longer-term rehabilitation programming. The programme is supported by EC DGDev and constitutes Concern’s longest-duration project in DPR Korea to date. Funding by DG/Dev includes more than €900,000 as an in-kind fertiliser component. The main project activities are provision of crop, vegetable and green manure seed, plastic sheeting and pesticides; improvement of potato storage facilities and provision of tractor tyres. Total funding is €2 million with implementation in six counties of South Pyongan province, targeted to 36 cooperative farms. Increased collaboration is anticipated with relevant Institutes of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Ministry of Agriculture at Provincial level. The development of relations with national and local institutions is welcomed since it enables better exchange of information between experts in fields of mutual interest.

DWHH/GAA has received initial funding of SEK 2 million through SIDA for a 2 year project with the aim of rehabilitating multiplication and seed management of winter wheat in South Hwanghae province. The project will commence implementation later this year (after rice has been harvested) and will be implemented through 10 cooperative farms in 4 counties. Through systematic upgrading, multiplication and distribution of improved varieties of winter wheat seed material to other cooperatives, it is anticipated that the province will increase wheat harvests significantly. DWHH/GAA would like to highlight that SIDA has funded a project that was initially presented in the 2001 Consolidated Appeal (CA) for DPR Korea thus reinforcing that the CA is more than an ‘Appeal’ and, in fact, a strategic planning document utilised by UN agencies, NGOs and bilateral organisations alike as a basis for consensus planning and implementation of agreed strategic programmes. The funding of this project is in fact (together with a project presented by DWHH/GAA's Alliance 2015 partner Concern Worldwide) the first time that NGO projects included within the CA have attracted external bilateral funding.

SIDA’s commitment is all the more welcomed given its potential impact on another project being implemented by DWHH/GAA in the same 4 counties of South Hwanghae province as the winter wheat project. Following the arrival of the necessary commodities and equipment at 4 county bakeries in South Hwanghae, production of enriched biscuits to supply 60,000 school children with a daily additional meal until September 2001 has started. DWHH/GAA has supplied, among other ingredients, more than 1,200 tons of wheat for the production. It is envisaged that from 2002 onwards this external input can be gradually be substituted by increased local production of wheat made possible under the SIDA supported project, thus adding increased sustainability to the local food production in South Hwanghae.

As a sign of the increasing collaboration between international agencies and NGOs on the one hand and relevant line institutions on the other, ADRA met with scientists from the Technical Research Institute to share information and expertise on solar energy. ADRA is in the process of providing solar kitchens to children’s institutions, thus enabling preparation of cooked food even in the absence of alternative fuel sources. The meeting concluded that cooperation should be enhanced and mutual information and technical practices be shared. The Technical Research Institute has ten years experience of solar energy related work and its cooperation with ADRA will considerably assist the implementation of the latter’s programming work.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Concern Worldwide has received SEK 2 million from SIDA (Sweden) in support of a project addressing environmental protection and rehabilitation. The project involves support to tree nurseries in five counties of South Pyongan province, in collaboration with cooperative farms and the Ministry of Lands and Environmental Protection. The project proposal had been included in the UN Consolidated Appeal and is the first ever, for Concern in DPR Korea, funded directly through the Appeal. The implementation period will be April-December 2001.

In the course of March 2001 the Agricultural Working Group will focus on the issue of environmental protection through a thematic working session on this issue.

FOOD AID

After the bitterly cold weather in January, WFP’s field offices in Chongjin, Wonsan, Hyesan, Sinuiju and Hamhung were fully operational during February. Emergency Officers faced freezing conditions inside the offices with temperatures in corridors registering well below zero Celsius. During the severe winter period the office in Hyesan, Ryanggang province was temporarily closed. Under EMOP 5959.02 the Government agreed to increase the ceiling for international staff by 10 people. New staff have started to arrive during February, with the total WFP international presence now standing at 42.

Local production of Rice Milk Blend began with a distribution plan for the first 30 MTs being agreed between WFP and UNICEF. RMB, which will support rehabilitation of malnourished children, will be distributed to baby homes and orphanages across the country. Work at other local food production facilities continued during the month, with some stoppages for routine maintenance. A new Corn Soy Blend factory was installed in Chongjin with operations starting at the end of the month. This brings to 11 the total number of local food production facilities now open in the country (3 for CSB, 1 for RMB, 2 for CMB and 5 producing biscuits).

The first shipments of rice donated by the Government of Japan began to arrive on 5 February. Three shipments of 10,000 MTs each arrived during the month. This is the first part of a shipment of 500,000 MTs. With this donation WFP’s cereals pipeline is secured until the autumn of 2001, although the timing of shipments means that there will be shortfalls during the lean season which begins now and last until the middle of the year (see WFP Cereals Pipeline Chart on page 4). WFP now urgently seeks donations of other commodities and, in particular oils, in order to be able to provide a balanced food basket to its seven-and-a-half million beneficiaries during 2001.

WFP’s food-for-work (FFW) programmes, for which some 20 percent of the 2001 food aid requirements are targeted, have begun, with assessments taking place in Nampo, Kaesong, and North Hwanghae. More than 30 projects are being assessed with full involvement of WFP’s field-based Emergency Officers. The first food-for-work workshop of the year was held in Chagang province. The Workshop was opened by the female Provincial Chairperson. FFW workshops assist local authorities in better understanding the dynamics of WFP’s FFW programmes. They also emphasise the need for projects to consider cross-cutting issues such as gender.

The Government of Switzerland will provide around 800 MTs of frozen beef to DPRK via the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The beef has been bought from the Swiss market and usual tender procedures were applied. Distribution and monitoring procedures are under discussion with the Government’s Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee (FDRC). SDC has already good experiences with distribution of frozen beef during 1998 and 1999, which can support the upcoming distribution exercise. Main beneficiaries will be social institutions (hospitals, kindergartens etc.). Arrival of the beef in Nampo is scheduled for Mid-May.

HEALTH and NUTRITION

Twelve out of thirty hospitals received a Caritas donation of drugs, medical supplies, bed sheets, surgical equipment etc. Distribution to the remaining 18 hospitals is ongoing, monitored and supervised by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), FALU and WHO

The Republic of Korea has donated US$467,000 for the implementation of WHO’s Malaria Programme. The donation will include drugs, laboratory equipment, microscopes and financial provision for training and work-shops and will assist in ensuring that the malaria programme for 2001 is able to be fully operational. Malaria was eradicated in DPR Korea in the 1970s, but re-emerged in the late 1990s. Concerted efforts by MoPH, WHO and IFRC would appear to have had significant positive impact - the number of cases recorded in 2000 was approximately the same as that of 1999 following a sharp increase in the number of cases between 1998 and 1999.

A consultant will arrive in March for a short assignment of three months in order to expand the Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment - Short Course (DOTS) programme into the six provinces of the country which are not currently included in the Programme, in collaboration with the MoPH. Currently DOTS does not cover the provinces of Kangwon, South Hamgyong, North Hamgyong and Ryanggang as well as Kaesong Kaesong Municipality. Seven motorcycles were purchased this month for the same programme.

After a lengthy series of negotiations between the Government and WHO it has been agreed that two laboratory technicians will travel to Beijing with stool samples collected in 2000 from people with acute flaccid paralysis. This development will considerably assist in identifying whether DPR Korea is a polio free country. A total of 1,500 bicycles were purchased for the polio eradication programme and delivered during the course of the month.

Fifty WHO medical kits (drugs, medical equipment, etc with a value of US$1,100 each) arrived during February and are in the process of being distributed to district hospitals. IFRC’s drug distribution programme monitoring was focused on problems with storage during the cold weather, which led to some drugs freezing. However, in monitoring visits to 21 institutions frozen drugs were found in only one hospital, with others managing to ensure that drugs were protected from the cold. At one county warehouse some drugs had frozen (dextrose) but otherwise very little medicines have been lost due to the cold. The next distribution of IFRC drugs will start once testing of new stocks has been completed by MoPH.

An IFRC Health Delegate was requested to assist in a complicated baby delivery taking place in the home of the mother. Drugs previously provided by the Federation were used. In a follow-up visit one week after the delivery both mother and child were doing well. This apparently insignificant event is the first time that an international worker has been requested or able to provide such assistance.

IFRC reports that predominant diseases reported are respiratory infections, abdominal disorders and ulcers. IFRC has received a number of requests for assistance in updating occupational therapy units in hospitals. IFRC also notes that anesthetics remain in very short supply with operations being performed either under local anaesthetic or entirely without any form of anesthesia.

IFRC’s workshops planned in 2001 will get underway during March. Preparations for the Community-based First Aid Training of Trainers and the 2001 round of Workshops on Respiratory Diseases continue.

Thanks to an earmarked donation by the Norwegian Red Cross, IFRC and the National Red Cross Society were able to distribute 2 months supply of coal to 22 county hospitals and 2 provincial hospitals in South Pyongan and Kaesong provinces. The monitoring of 17 of these hospitals has found that the coal is being used and temperatures inside the wards are between 18-22 degrees Celsius and the number of inpatients has increased significantly.

In addition to the ‘Facts for Life’ book (see box on Page 2) other information, education and communication materials were produced by UNICEF and distributed during the month:

• 30,000 copies of Child Growth and Development posters have been printed and the posters are under distribution.
  
  
• 15,000 copies of the Protocol for the Treatment of Severely Malnourished Children have been printed. UNICEF and MoPH jointly developed the Protocol. All hospitals and clinics nationwide will receive copies.
  
  
• 45,000 copies of Treatment Sheets for recording of health condition and treatment given to malnourished children have been printed and are being distributed to baby homes, pediatric and county hospitals nationwide. The Sheet will enable health professionals to keep accurate records of treatment.

In February 2001, CAD signed an agreement with SIDA for the rehabilitation and provision of support to the Hamhung City Provincial Maternity Hospital. The project, which should run from April until December 2001, aims to decrease the maternal and infant mortality rate in South Hamgyong province through the provision of resources for sustaining basic ante-natal and post-natal services, for 90,000 women of childbearing age in Hamhung City. This project follows one providing assistance to the Hamhung Paediatric Hospital in 2000.

WATER AND SANITATION

In IFRC’s programme of upgrading water and sanitation facilities in hospitals, the materials and supplies needed for the final 41 identified ri hospitals have been delivered to each of the concerned institutions.

IFRC has received reports on water testing based on testing kits it has provided to local institutions. The nature of these reports indicate that there is a need for further training in water testing procedures.

In continued follow up to the effects of the tropical storm which hit the east coast of the country on 31 August 2000 IFRC is finalising preparations to repair some of the water and sanitation installations in South Hamgyong province.

Concern Worldwide’s Improved Hygiene Project has now started its Phase-2 operations in Anju, Dokchon and Pyongsong counties of South Pyongan province. Distribution of soap, water containers and educational/ awareness materials having been undertaken in Pukchang, Sinyang and Yangdok counties during Phase-1. This is an ECHO-funded project, of approximately €1 million, that will run until end-April 2001. The targeted beneficiaries are households on 55 cooperative farms.

Also funded by ECHO is a DWHH/GAA project in 7 counties of North Pyongan province and a total of more than 120,000 children in nurseries and kindergartens. The project involves distribution of basic hygiene items such as containers for water, together with a supply of chlorine tablets, shampoo, multipurpose soap, water test kits, detergent and antiseptic solution. Together with the other NGOs implementing a similar ECHO project in their provinces DWHH/GAA has also distributed more than 18,000 posters developed together with the Institute of Public Health Education in Pyongyang. These posters, showing six motifs all related to the proper use of the relief items, ensure that identical messages concerning basic hygiene are disseminated throughout the implementation areas of all NGOs involved.

CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Two delegates from the National Coordinating Committee for UNICEF and a UNICEF project officer represented DPR Korea in the Preparatory Conference for the Fifth East Asia and Pacific Ministerial Consultation held in Bangkok between 26-28 February. The Ministerial Consultation will take place in May in Beijing. As a States Party and signatory to the World Declaration and Plan of Action for Children and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), DPR Korea will present an End-Decade report of progress achieved, lessons learned and emerging issues and challenges for children. The Report will also discuss special measures on CRC implementation in the country and the future agenda for the children of DPR Korea. The Ministerial Consultation will lead to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children scheduled to take place in September this year where a global vision for children for this century will be adopted.

Winterisation

Concern Worldwide has recently completed a project of 3 months duration, funded by ECHO. The project involved the distribution of anoraks to children in kindergartens in 5 counties and blankets to cooperative farms in 2 counties of South Pyongan province. The value of the project was €200.000.

Distribution is in full swing by DWHH/GAA to supply 36,700 schoolchildren in 7 counties of North Pyongan province with a set of winter clothes. ECHO funded this relief operation being implemented through kindergartens to supply children with jackets, trousers, gloves and shoes.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

David Morton
Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator
Pyongyang
Tel: +8502-3817
Fax: +8502-3817-603
E-Mail: david.morton@wfp.org

Oliver Lacey-Hall
Humanitarian Affairs Officer
OCHA Pyongyang
Tel: +8502-3817-298
Fax: +8502-3817-639
E-Mail: ocha.dprk@wfp.org

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

More information on DPR Korea is available at the Reliefweb Site: http://www.reliefweb.int

Electronic copies of this Bulletin (Adobe Acrobat PDF format) can be obtained by e-mailing ocha.dprk@wfp.org.

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.