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[17 August 2007] - UNICEF has highlighted the needs of children affected by massive flooding across the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying international aid will be needed to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable. Over 350,000 people have had their houses destroyed or damaged, and 221 have been confirmed dead. The numbers of child casualties are still not known. A UN assessment team and other organisations have confirmed the serious situation being reported by the Government. “The country has been isolated and has been struggling to provide basic services for many years,” said Michel Le Pechoux, UNICEF’s Deputy Representative to DPRK who was on Tuesday’s assessment mission. “In addition to the loss of life, the damage caused by floods to agriculture and infrastructure is really a big blow to the already precarious situation for most of the population of DPRK. I believe that is for this reason that the government is welcoming assistance from international agencies.” According to DPRK officials, these rains were the worst to hit the affected counties in forty years. More rain is forecast in the coming days. Flooding has left tens of thousands of people homeless and contaminated water sources. Damage to infrastructure ranges from public buildings such as schools and health facilities, roads to railways, bridges and telephone poles. Beyond the immediately affected population, it is estimated that 100,000 hectares have been destroyed or seriously damaged, risking food insecurity and child malnutrition. Some people have started to harvest maize before it ripens to avoid rotting. "The biggest concern is the damage caused to the crops and to infrastructure,” Le Pechoux said. “In many areas, the floods have destroyed not only entire harvests, but also roads and bridges. In Pyongyang, electricity is unreliable with power surges and frequent cuts. From what I saw, the floods are seriously affecting the lives of women and children. In a country with existing food insecurity, the agricultural damage caused by the floods is a great concern for food security of thousands over the next months." UNICEF has already responded by providing DPRK with essential medicines for waterborne diseases; water kits for some 5,000 families; and ordering water purification tablets and chlorine to disinfect water systems. Schools are currently on holiday, but UNICEF is already working with the Ministry of Education to support the resumption of the upcoming school year in the affected areas. “Over the years the North Korean population has developed considerable coping mechanisms to face many hardships and in many areas the population and local authorities have already started working on rehabilitation of infrastructure with very limited means” Le Pechoux said. “But for a country already suffering from a fragile situation, the impact of the floods on the situation of children and women is really worrying” Further information
pdf: http://www.unicef.org.uk/press/news_detail_full_story.asp?news_id=1017