CERF provides $2 million for flood-affected people in DPRK

22 August 2012: Torrential rainfall in July and August in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has triggered severe flooding that has left over 212,000 people homeless, more than 169 people dead and 400 missing, according to the Government.

The flooding has severely damaged buildings and public infrastructure, including roads and bridges, as well as 30,600 hectares of agricultural land. More than 700,000 people have limited access to primary and secondary health-care services due to the destruction of 69 public health centres.

Humanitarian partners are prioritizing access to clean water and health care due to the breakdown of watersupply systems, and crowded sites where displaced people have congregated. To stop the situation deteriorating, humanitarian partners seek to deliver emergency food, water, sanitation, health services and non-food items to the most vulnerable flood-affected communities.

In response, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) provided US$1,955,140 to help four UN agencies respond to flood-affected people in DPRK.

The World Health Organization (WHO) received $800,002 to support life-saving emergency health care for 700,000 people, including 48,000 children under age 5. The World Food Programme (WFP) received $654,412 to provide nutrition assistance for one month to 102,000 flood-affected people, particularly young children and women. Some 150,000 people will have increased access to health care and safe water sources through a grant of $400,726 to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) received $400,726 to support life-saving reproductive health services for 14,000 pregnant women.

For more information about CERF, visit: www.unocha.org/cerf