1st LD Writethru: UN official visits areas hit by floods in DPRK

The UN resident coordinator in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Tapan Mishra, has taken part in a joint mission with the government and humanitarian agencies in the country to visit some of the areas hardest hit earlier by devastating floods, a UN spokesman said here Monday.

Nearly 12,000 families in the North Hamgyong province whose homes were destroyed have since moved into new homes, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

"International organizations have been providing food, shelter, medicine, and water and sanitation relief, among other items," Dujarric said.

"In response to a special request by the government, some agencies have also contributed towards roofing for the new homes and public institutions such as nurseries, kindergartens, schools, health clinics and hospitals," he said.

The floods have left 133 people dead and another 395 missing, according to a UN report given by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The official news agency KCNA said in an earlier report that the floods were caused by the strongest storms and heaviest downpours since 1945.

While nearly 12,000 families in northern DPRK have moved into new houses three months after devastating Typhoon Lionrock destroyed their homes, the United Nations is reporting that this "massive effort" still needs additional support so damaged water networks can be repaired and essential medicines and nutritious foods can be provided.

Local authorities in North Hamgyong province say that repairs were made to 17,698 households, including 11,928 new homes built for families, UN officials said.

At the end of August, Typhoon Lionrock struck northern DPRK, damaging many lives and property, and bringing the cost of the response to be 29 million U.S. dollars, according to Flood Emergency Response Plan.

To date, humanitarian agencies in DPRK have raised only 12 million U.S. dollars. Enditem