Muhammad Khalid, Health Delegate, the Federation Delegation in Pyongyang, DPRK and Winnie Romeril of the International Federation
During the worst floods to hit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 40 years, about 15,000 Red Cross volunteers put their skills to the test as they rescued, evacuated and provided first aid to countless flood survivors. The loss of life would have been much higher than the initial 221 people drowned and buried by mud if these volunteers had not been on the spot to pluck survivors from swirling waters and evacuate entire villages to higher ground.
First aid is the flagship activity of the DPRK Red Cross Society. Highlighting the critical need for all citizens to have this training, the DPRK Red Cross Society celebrated the 2007 World First Aid Day (8 September) with a lively first aid competition among Red Cross youth in secondary schools in South Phyongan, one of the worst-hit provinces in the recent floods.
Four secondary schools made it to the team finals where they competed for prizes awarded by a panel of first aid master trainer judges. Students were quizzed in first aid know-how and put through their paces in hands-on competitions.
"We provided first aid to the injured immediately after rescuing and evacuating the people away from the danger of floods," recalled 50-year-old master trainer Jon Sang Son from Sunchon city.
"But our real task started afterwards, in the immediate prevention of any outbreaks of disease among the displaced, especially for those in disaster-struck areas in which all the water supplies had collapsed."
Over 170,000 homes were damaged or destroyed during the two-week deluge which devastated five provinces and the capital of Phyongyang. Jon, a mother of two and a seven-year Red Cross volunteer, worked tirelessly with other volunteers around-the-clock to save their neighbours.
"My husband understands and encourages me in my work," Jon says with a smile. "He takes care of everything at home while I am away working with my team. He promotes the Red Cross movement and its principles too using his professional influence in the media."
The South Phyongan Red Cross branch's training centre produces upwards of 60 First Aid master trainers every year. These master trainers, in turn, train other Red Cross volunteers and their fellow professionals in first aid to assist vulnerable people in their respective communities.
"Our volunteers provided first aid to around 400 injured people and shifted them to health facilities for further treatment during the recent floods," said Jang Tok Jin, head of the provincial Red Cross training centre.
First aid techniques learned, practiced and administered by DPRK Red Cross volunteers have a significant impact on people in general and the youth in particular.
"I am very proud of our Red Cross volunteers for their excellent work in promoting first aid and helping people, particularly during disasters," said Jang Tok Jin. "During the recent floods, in Yongdok, Maegson and Sinyong counties alone, 1,000 Red Cross volunteers were mobilized to aid in the evacuation, first aid provision and hygiene promotion."
International Federation and DPRK Red Cross National Society headquarters representatives from Pyongyang were on hand to congratulate the local Red Cross, master trainers and first aid volunteers.
"We pay tribute today to the valiant work of Red Cross volunteers during the recent floods," said the International Federation's Terje Lysholm.
"We renew our pledge for a stronger relationship with the DPRK Red Cross Society in its commitment to build safe and healthy communities through first aid.
The International Federation has an open appeal for 6.6 million Swiss francs ($5.5 million / €4 million) to help 3.7 million people affected by the severe flooding which wiped out homes, roads, crops, water supplies and bridges, and completely or partially destroyed 30 to 40 per cent of health facilities and supplies.