Heavy rainfall causes flooding in north of DPRK (11 September update)

Overview

Flooding, triggered by heavy rains as a result of Typhoon Lionrock, in north-eastern DPRK has displaced tens of thousands of people and destroyed homes, buildings and other critical infrastructure. Areas along the flooded Tumen River are acutely impacted with Musan and Yonsa counties and Hoeryong City in North Hamgyong Province particularly severely affected. Counties in Ryanggang Province that border Yonsa County may also be affected but currently there is limited information available from these areas.

The Government has confirmed that 133 people have been killed and another 395 people remain missing as a result of the floods. More than 35,500 houses have been damaged, 69 per cent of which have been completed destroyed, and a further 8,700 buildings, including schools and public buildings, have been damaged. Around 16,000 hectares of arable land has been inundated. Based on official figures and assessment findings, at least 140,000 people are in urgent need of assistance. Of those, over 100,000 people are estimated to have been displaced. An estimated 600,000 people in more than six counties have also been affected by the interruption of water supply systems. The most affected areas in Musan and Yonsa counties remain inaccessible.

Response

From 6-9 September a Government-led joint needs assessment was conducted, which included UN agencies, DPRK Red Cross, IFRC and international NGOs. The assessment team visited several of the most affected areas, including Hoeryong City and surrounding villages, but were unable to access Musan and Yonsa. Based on the assessment and as a result of discussions with the Government, shelter, food, health, and water and sanitation have been identified as immediate needs.

Humanitarian agencies have released relief materials from in-country stockpiles including food, nutritional supplements, shelter and kitchen kits, water purification and sanitation supplies, emergency health supplies and education supplies.

The Government is urgently working to reopen the roads to improve access to affected areas, and is distributing relief goods and building materials. They are also prioritising to immediately rebuild 20,000 houses by early October, in advance of winter, with support from the humanitarian community.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:
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