Major crop shortfalls feared Welthungerhilfe launches aid measures for flood victims in North Korea

Bonn/Pyongyang, 16.08.2007. Deutsche Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) is releasing 250,000 euros to help the victims of floods in North Korea. Of this figure, 100,000 euros come from donations, and a further 150,000 from the German Foreign Office. Initial emergency aid measures for around 50,000 people will involve the provision of food, water sterilisation tablets and cooking utensils.

"The situation is very grave," explains Alois Sander, Welthungerhilfe's Head of Project in North Korea. "The flooding is considerably worse than in previous years, although fortunately it hasn't reached the scale of the flood disaster of 1995." The water level of the Taedonggang River which runs through the capital, Pyongyang, is, in fact, a meter higher than it was in 1995. However, according to Sander, this time the early warning system worked, meaning many people could flee to safety. There will, nonetheless, be substantial losses in livestock.

At the moment it's not possible to estimate the scale of the crop shortfall. "The plants can cope with being underwater for one to two weeks, but after that, it's make or break," explains Sander. "Due to the poor supply situation in North Korea, a crop shortfall of 5 to 10 % would have major repercussions."

Relief work is hindered by the already deficient infrastructure which have suffered additional damage in the floods. Railway tracks and roads are under water. Many bridges have been washed away. There are repeated electricity cuts. The telephone circuit keeps crashing.

Welthungerhilfe is also planning the distribution of blankets and warm clothes. "The winter begins here in mid-November and can be very harsh," warns Sander. In the medium term, Welthungerhilfe will distribute seeds and help in reconstructing the water supply. In the long term, Welthungerhilfe will increase its efforts in the field of crisis prevention. This includes the reforestation of deforested hillside locations with fruit trees, as well as the construction of dams.

Welthungerhilfe has been active in North Korea since 1997. During this period we have implemented projects to the scale of 45 million euros and for the benefit of a million people. This year, six projects are underway to the sum of 4 million euros. 60,000 people will benefit from them. These projects include the production and distribution of seed, the supply of drinking water, and natural resource management in four provinces in the south if the country. For further information see www.welthungerhilfe.de