By Francis Marcus, International Federation Information Delegate
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is reshaping its relief effort in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), helping to refurbish the country's battered health facilities as well as providing emergency medicines for those hit by August's floods.
At the same time the weather has also thrown further challenges at the country: following fresh torrential rains from Typhoon Wipha between 18 and 21 September, causing wider flooding, the International Federation is delivering relief supplies to another 2,000 families made homeless by the latest deluges.
In many places, doctors and health workers have been treating patients in makeshift clinics set up in public buildings, with reports that between 60 and 70 per cent of people are presenting with diarrhoea or abdominal complaints.
Medical kits to replenish dwindling stocks in these village clinics are en route to communities affected by the August floods. They will support the basic health care needs of more than three million people, after an estimated 30 to 40 per cent of medical facilities in flood-hit areas were destroyed or damaged.
Medical supplies while a revised version of the Federation's Emergency appeal of, now also targets rehabilitating health facilities in the flood-affected areas.
Adjusting to affected community needs
Emergency medicines formed a key part of the Federation's emergency appeal on 20 August for 6.6 million Swiss francs ($5.5 million US/ €4 million) for flood survivors in the DPRK. The appeal is more than 83 per cent covered by donors.
Due to unexpected events, that appeal is being revised to include a new element: the refurbishment and upgrading of about 200 clinics in the country based on detailed individual assessments.
Funding is now available after consignments of the International Federation's regular medical supplies to the country arrived ahead of schedule. That, in turn, reduced the need for emergency deliveries to be flown in - which was fortunate, given the tight supply of such emergency health kits on the international market, amid an array of flood disasters worldwide. Finally, supplies of chlorine for water purification were obtained more cheaply than anticipated.
"Thanks to these developments, we will be able to provide equipment and make improvements to these facilities which will have a lasting impact on the medical care that people can benefit from," says the Federation's Head of Delegation in the DPRK, Jaap Timmer.
The renewed flooding, after rainfall of more than 200mm in many areas, compounded the damage done by August's flooding in a number of areas in western DPRK.
In one district visited by a Federation delegate, a reservoir, which had been partially repaired after the earlier flooding, was once again broken down by the flood waters. In a number of places, building materials which were piled up to repair the flood damage were themselves washed away.
More than 23,000 volunteers from the Red Cross Society of the DPRK mobilized to provide early warning, first aid, evacuation and rehabilitation work.
The additional International Federation relief supplies being distributed include blankets, water containers, water purification tablets and kitchen equipment.