>Subject: USAID/OFDA Fact Sheet #1 North Korea - 26 Aug 96
>Author:  HicksDeb at B
>Date:    8/28/96 4:26 PM
>
>
>Date: Wed, 28 Aug 96 9:40:18 EDT
>
>From: "Zema Semunegus" 
>
>           U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
>
>             BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
>         OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
>
>                NORTH KOREA - Floods/Food Shortage
>
>Fact Sheet #1 -- August 26, 1996
>
>Background:  In 1995, severe flooding, caused by torrential rains
>from July to August, swept through the western and northern
>regions of North Korea.  Over 140 counties in 12 provinces were
>affected by the floods, which also damaged over 400,000 hectares
>of arable land just before harvest time and left 500,000 people
>homeless.  The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)
>estimated the total financial loss brought on by the floods at
>$15 billion.  The floods, the worst in decades, and a general
>decline in the economic situation in the country that began with
>the end of the Cold War complicated the already poor food
>security situation.  According to the United Nations (U.N.), the
>food shortage level exceeded 1 million metric tons (MT) of grain
>in late 1995.
>

>The humanitarian crisis continued in North Korea throughout 1996
>and was aggravated by additional floods in late July that ravaged
>the same areas that were struck by last year's floods.  At least
>200 were reportedly killed and 30,000 left homeless as a result
>of the floods.  The DPRK estimates the total damage to crops and
>infrastructure caused by this latest flooding at $1.7 billion.
>In all, the DPRK estimates that at least 5.2 million people have
>been affected by the floods and ensuing food shortage.  According
>to the U.N. World Food Program (WFP), the floods resulted in 117
>deaths and placed nearly 2.5 million women and children in the
>north at serious risk of starvation.
>
>Current Humanitarian Assistance:  In June, the U.N. launched its
>second consolidated inter-agency appeal for $43.6 million to
>address the most urgent needs stemming from the severe and
>unprecedented floods that have caused widespread devastation in
>North Korea since 1995.  The appeal covers the period from July
>1, 1996 to March 31, 1997 and will target communities in the
>most-affected provinces of Chagang, North and South Hwanghae,
>North and South Pyongan and Kangwon.  It focuses on three
>priority sectors: food aid; the recovery of arable lands; and
>health.  Several U.N. and NGO agencies, including the WFP and the
>ICRC, have also launched separate appeals in response to the
>humanitarian disaster in North Korea.  The DPRK initially
>provided blankets and quilts in view of the impending cold
>season, as well as some food assistance in the form of rice and
>medicine.  In addition, the DPRK, with the assistance of the DPRK
>Red Cross Society, evacuated people to safe zones, provided
>temporary shelter, and implemented follow-up first aid and
>medical activities.
>
>U.S. Government (USG) Assistance:  On October 10, 1995, Assistant
>Secretary of State Winston Lord issued a disaster declaration in
>North Korea in response to an international appeal for assistance
>launched by the DPRK.  In February, USAID's BHR/OFDA released
>$2.24 million as grants to UNICEF and the WFP appeal for
>emergency food assistance and to support an independent Food
>Program Observer who monitored and assessed the food distribution
>process.
>
>Unfortunately, on March 19, a WFP-chartered freighter carrying
>over 5,600 MT of rice donated by the U.S., Switzerland, and
>Australia sank in the Taiwan Straits and resulted in 15 deaths.
>A replacement ship arrived the following month, carrying 8,200 MT
>of rice.  USAID's BHR/Food for Peace (FFP) contributed 13,100 MT
>of rice, corn meal, and corn soya blend valued at $6.3 million to the
>WFP in response to the 1996-97 U.N. international appeal to
>assist the victims.  Total humanitarian assistance provided to
>the DPRK by world-wide governments is estimated at $56 million as
>of late June.
>
>BHR/OFDA Humanitarian Assistance
>    FY 1996 (estimated value) . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2,240,000
>BHR/FFP Humanitarian Assistance FY 1996. . . . . . . . $6,286,500
>Total USG Humanitarian Assistance (to date). . . . . . $8,526,500
>
>---
>AVia 2:335/352.9 19960828.151054.UTC gigo 099.960714-