Flooding in DPRK in 2015

Between 1 and 5 August 2015, torrential rains have caused floods in several Ri-s (villages) and in the outskirts of cities of south Hwanghae and north and south Hamgyong provinces of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). According to the State Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management (SCEDM), the Government of DPRK and the DPRK Red Cross Society (RCS), the floods affected 3,541 people, claimed 24 lives and 9 people are reported missing in more than 20 affected cities/counties. (IFRC, 21 Aug 2015)

During this reporting period, the country experienced a second round of flooding following Typhoon Goni. Although the country was not directly hit by the typhoon, many parts of the country were affected by heavy rainfall and flash floods brought by the system on 22 and 23 August. The greatest impact was felt in the northeastern city of Rason, near the border of Russia and China.

In two different major floods, the country received more than half of its annual average rainfall (321mm) causing wide spread damage and loss to lives, properties and belongings. According to the State Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management (SCEDM), the Government of DPRK and the DPRK Red Cross Society (RCS), the floods affected 6,473 families or approximately 22,656 people, claimed 89 lives, and 10 people are reported missing in more than 25 affected cities/counties.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed a joint assessment mission, inter-agency and multicluster, to areas affected by floods from Tuesday to Saturday, 1st to 5th September 2015. The assessment revealed needs and priorities of the affected population. These can be categorized under major sectors, e.g. Shelter, Food, WASH, Health, Education, Infrastructure. In the days and weeks following the disaster the Humanitarian Country Team members provided assistance in these areas to meet the needs of the vulnerable population.