United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs

OCHA OFFICE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

DPR KOREA: SITUATION BULLETIN

April May 2005 WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME – PIPELINE SHORTAGES No. 03/0 5 WFP operations in the DPRK continued to be hampered by funding · WFP PIPELINE SHORTFALLS shortfalls and as a result, 1.2 million pregnant/nursing women and kindergarten and nursery children stopped receiving beans in addition · WHO - AVIAN INFLUENZA to oil in May. The situation remains critical and despite intensified fund-raising efforts, WFP has received only limited pledges since · TRIANGLE’S POLDER October 2004. Without a radical change of circumstances, WFP will REHABILITATION (PHOTOS) be forced to cut cereal rations to 3.6 million elderly people, food-for- · SECTORAL UPDATES ON work participants and their families, primary school children and the HEALTH & NUTRITION, FOOD poorest urban households in mid-June. AID, AGRICULTURE, WATER & SANITATION, EDUCATION & Suspensions and reductions in supplies of WFP food have a serious IFRC PROGRAMMES adverse impact on the well being of beneficiaries. As rural counties have very limited means to make good the difference, child institutions, for example, have to reduce the quantity of food served. Children’s consumption of cereals can fall by as much as 60 per cent, while their consumption of pulses and vegetable oil – key sources of protein and fat – also drops dramatically. Moderately malnourished children can quickly become severely malnourished. This, coupled FURTHER INFORMATION: with rising prices, and an ever-increasing dependence on the market

Richard Ragan for food, is leading the vulnerable in the country towards a very Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. precarious situation. WFP is hoping that donors will continue their longstanding support to the Korean people and urgently come forward Tel: +8502-3817-221 Fax: +8502-3817-639 with new donations. E-Mail: [email protected]

George Murray The Public Distribution System (PDS) ration remained unchanged at Head of Office 250 grams per person per day composed of a mix of maize and rice. OCHA Pyongyang However, officials in many counties informed WFP staff that the Tel: +8502-3817-490 Fax: +8502-3817-491 ration is likely to be cut again in July, to 200 grams. That would be E-Mail: [email protected] the lowest level since 2001.

As part of WFP’s new monitoring system, the first periodic Household Food Security Assessment took place at the end of May/early June. For 10 days, WFP monitoring teams conducted 240

family household interviews, 10 focus group discussions and 70 observational walks within the communities where household interviews were held. The focus group discussions were particularly

successful and informative. Many issues otherwise considered as sensitive by the DPRK Government (e.g. the informal economy, household expenditure and the deteriorating food security situation) were discussed. The intention is to conduct three such assessments each year, to reflect the changing food needs in specific periods of the agricultural cycle, and thus prioritise food interventions more accurately.

United Nations, Munsudong, Pyongyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Situation Bulletin April May 2005 Page 2

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

WHO - Avian Influenza Outbreak - Update surgeries, antenatal care, newborn problems, In February-March 2005, poultry in DPR Korea was obstetrics and laboratory services, in order to provide hit by the H7 subtype of the influenza A virus. Three access to improved health services. WHO is also poultry farms in the suburban area of the capital city focusing on improving the knowledge and technical of Pyongyang were affected. The outbreak was capability of health workers with the provision of a Korean version of WHO’s technical guidelines on contained by the rapid destruction of 219,000 birds internationally recognized health service practices. and strict surveillance of human contacts with the The Korean version of WHO guidelines for infected poultry. The diagnosis of H7 subtype was managing complications in pregnancy and childbirth, confirmed by FAO. Though no human cases had managing newborn child health complications, and been reported, the national authorities approached basic techniques for health laboratories are already WHO for technical support in strengthening the state widely available at the county level. WHO is of preparedness. Accordingly, Dr Rajesh Bhatia and planning to print and disseminate translated WHO Dr Ayana Yeneabat from WHO Regional Office for reference books on surgical care for district hospitals, South East Asia visited DPR Korea from 16 to 23 which includes all technical and practical aspects of basic surgery, within a few months. The support for April 2005, reviewed the ground situation and after strengthening county hospitals is funded by ECHO, consultations with the national authorities, suggested Japan and Australia. strengthening various areas of disease surveillance and response so that any occurrence in humans can UNICEF – Health and Nutritional Care be detected early and appropriate control measures Programmes – Update instituted. UNICEF - National Child Health Day (CHD) During this period, WHO also supported government The first National Child Health Day (CHD) for 2005 control measures by providing personal protective was held on 20 May. About 2 million children aged equipments (PPEs), rapid diagnostic tests, laboratory between 6 to 59 months, 99% of the total, received Vitamin A supplements. All children between two to reagents and anti-viral drugs. five years were targeted for deworming with Mebendazole. The National Child Health Day is a WHO also assisted in developing a proposal for the joint collaborative effort between the Government of strengthening of disease surveillance and response DPRK and UNICEF. All operational costs for mechanisms in DPR Korea for both influenza and organizing the CHDs are borne by the government, avian influenza. This is being done in cooperation and more than 60,000 health workers and nursery with FAO. The Government of Australia had pledged caregivers are mobilized for the benefit of the AUS$ 250,000 for support for activities related to children. UNICEF provides Vitamin A capsules, avian influenza control. Additional funding is Mebendazole and technical assistance to the Ministry of Public Health through contributions from donors required. This reflects the importance of stepping up such as Canada, Republic of Korea and New preparedness, surveillance and capacity to respond to Zealand. possible new outbreaks of avian influenza. Based on experiences from other Asian countries, recurrence of In DPRK, the CHDs have proven to be a feasible, the disease occurs frequently. Furthermore, increased cost-effective strategy for reaching almost all efforts are needed for the development of a national children in the country with a package of critical preparedness plan in DPRK for an influenza health interventions and are now considered as a pandemic. possible channel for delivery of a broader package of services as well as primary health care information to WHO - Support to County Hospitals care-givers and parents. DPRK has achieved one of In DPRK, for the majority of the population, county the highest coverage of Vitamin A distribution to level hospitals provide the main health service children among countries in the region. facility and first referral centre for the community at the Ri/Dong level. WHO is currently focusing on UNICEF - Production of ORS. strengthening the infrastructure of health service 1,100,000 sachets were produced during January to facilities at the county level with the provision of May 2005. The production was lower than usual essential equipment and supplies/consumables for because of unexpected problems in obtaining spare

Situation Bulletin April May 2005 Page 3 parts. To increase production capacity, UNICEF has useful in addressing condom promotion in the DPRK procured a new machine, which is expected to arrive and enhancing the counselling skills of service in June. providers for UNPFA assistance.

UNICEF - Delivery of Medicines (Japanese A study visit in Laos and on population policy, funded). quality of care, informed choice and HIV/AIDs was In May, the Central Medical Warehouse distributed organized by UNFPA for 3 officials from the medicine kits to 448 Ri clinics and hospitals and 39 National Coordination Committee (NCC) in April. provincial and county hospitals in N. Pyongan, S. For the challenges faced in the fight against Hamgyong and N. Hwanghae provinces. The HIV/AIDs, the mission concluded that the distribution for June has started for 1258 Ri clinics government should adopt national policies and and hospitals and 52 provincial and county hospitals regulations on HIV/AIDs prevention. National in S. Pyongan, Kangwon, Ryanggang and S. agencies will conduct publicity campaigns through Hwanghae provinces. the health system and other public organizations such as the Youth League and Womens League. UNICEF - Central Medical Warehouse (CMW). A consultant was in the country from 21 May to 14 ADRA - Update June 2005 as a follow-up visit on strengthening the After postponing the Nutrition and Hygiene project logistic capacity of the Central Medical Warehouse. funded by the German Government due to date Training was conducted for the CMW in Pyongyang changes and different seasonal needs, ADRA is and the two provincial medical warehouses in working on a new proposal. This proposal is focusing Kangwon and S. Hamgyong provinces. The on UNICEF's Nutritional Assessment 2004 consultant also met with WHO, UNFPA and IFRC, Recommendations and County Hospital hygiene and extended his advice on the renovation of the standards. ADRA has also submitted a proposal co- UNFPA warehouse. Rehabilitation of the CMW funded by ECHO and WHO, for the rehabilitation of (funded by Japan) is on-going. 5 county hospitals (Sinhung, Jongpyong, Toksong, , and Hwanjun). Further funding from UNICEF - Safe Motherhood. A first draft of the Norway is under discussion for this programme. Reproductive Health Strategy paper has been developed and shared with partners in the monthly Triangle - Update on the Support to the Elderly Reproductive Health Taskforce meeting. Programme (Donors: ECHO, OCHA, SDC, German Embassy) UNFPA – Update on Activities The rehabilitation of three Old People’s Homes is UNFPA provided US$ 200,000 worth of essential almost completed, providing more hygienic medical equipment and drugs for maternal health to conditions and better care standards for the elderly. 32 hospitals and clinics in 3 provinces, 9 counties and The renovation of the facilities included the complete 23 Ris in May. This assistance is aimed at enhancing overhaul of the water and heating systems, the the capacity of the service delivery points to provide rehabilitation of living rooms (insulation, new doors adequate primary and emergency obstetric care. and windows), consultation rooms, kitchens, dining- rooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and an With help from a visiting consultant from UNICEF, improvement for security and access to the buildings. the logistics system for reproductive health Food security is expected to improve through the commodities in DPRK was further reviewed. building of a greenhouse, the supply of machinery UNFPA intends to renovate warehouses to ensure and small scale rabbit breeding activities. adequate storage requirements and to start piloting the Logistics Management Information System On the capacity building side of the project, thanks to (LMIS) system in Kangwon province, as a follow up contacts established in China during the study tour to the LMIS training conducted by UNFPA last year, last May, HelpAge members received training in which includes introducing standardised national survey methodologies. This session was provided by stock cards. the director of the Institute of Gerontology of Beijing, an expert on surveys conducted with elderly UNFPA supported a ten-day training course in populations. As the Central Statistics Bureau is Nanjing, China, on Behavioural Change supposed to be involved in any survey conducted in Communication to officials from the MoPH, the DPR Korea, five persons from this department also Grand People’s Study House, the Academy of participated in this workshop. This training allowed Medical Science, and the Population Centre and the finalization of a questionnaire, the preparation of Health Education Institute. This was particularly a booklet for the surveyors, the introduction to

Situation Bulletin April May 2005 Page 4 interview methodology and data analysis , and report (Taesong in Pyongyang municipality, and drafting. This survey, planned for the 2nd part of Kosan in Kangwon province) as well as the 2005, aims to assess the living conditions and health strengthening of HelpAge DPRK capacities through situation of old age people, living both in urban and the realization of a second study tour in China, the rural areas. survey mentioned above and the co-management of the project. This new programme will also include a This survey is part of a new programme of support to follow-up survey of the three current Old People’s old age people, proposed to ECHO and expected to Homes in order to get a better assessment of the start in July 2005. This programme will include the impact of the project on the health of the elderly. rehabilitation of three new Old People’s Homes

FOOD AID W- Summary WFP – Operational Review Cereal prices in Pyongyang increased. From March to greater and their availability is decreasing. The the end of April the price of maize rose by about 40 per Government has stopped providing transport for these cent and the price of imported rice rose by about 25 per purposes, leaving families struggling to balance their cent. Compared to April last year, the price of maize time between personal collection of wild foods and has tripled while that of rice has doubled thus leaving collectivised agricultural activities. the average urban worker’s salary only enough to buy WFP - Monitoring less than five kilograms of maize or three kg of rice. The introduction of a new monitoring system for WFP food aid progressed as WFP began conducting training Special distributions of food took place on April 15 in workshops for local officials from the Flood Damage celebration of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung’s Rehabilitation Committee (FDRC). Workshops were birthday. The items were sold at subsidized prices held in , , Hamhung, , through the state shops, for instance a kilo of meat cost and Anju with active and engaged 190 won (US$ 1.40), less than a third of the market participation of over 350 representatives from all 158 price but still almost 10 per cent of a worker’s monthly accessible counties/districts. This marked the first wage. Commodities distributed depend on the extensive “local level” training in the programme’s economy of each county, but households received on history. The new monitoring system focuses on average 0.5 – 1 kg of meat, 1 kg of bean curd and a collecting higher quality information (despite a 20% bottle of alcohol, while children received a box of reduction of visits) through enhanced commodity candies. However, many counties in the north of the tracking and periodic household food security surveys. country were not able to provide any commodities at Monitoring visits in May peaked at 539 visits, the all. highest number recorded since July 2004. Most of the visits can be attributed to the Household Food Security The lack of cereals is not only impacting on people’s Survey, which brought the number of family visits up ability to feed themselves but is also making it to 265. Visits to Public Distribution Centres (PDC) on increasingly hard for households to raise livestock such the other hand were down to only 7 visits and will be as chicken and pigs for own consumption and sale. prioritised in the upcoming months. WFP household interviews find that the number of urban households raising pigs has decreased by almost WFP - Food For Work (FFW) 40 per cent over the last year. Raising livestock is a The total number of FFW project proposals received key source of income and a traditional coping strategy from the FDRC amounted to 234. Out of these for Korean households. Besides providing much proposals, 52 were either rejected following field needed protein to an otherwise meagre diet, poorer assessment or dropped by the county FDRC on various households often barter the meat and eggs against more grounds. 132 accepted proposals requesting 17,705 cereals and thereby obtain more staple food items for tonnes of food have been approved by the Project their families. Review Committee (PRC) while a further 22 assessed FFW proposals requesting 2,594 tonnes are pending Agricultural activities are at their peak in May and this submission to the PRC, until more food becomes year officials and workers were mobilized in unusually available for projects on the West Coast. large numbers to help the farmers with rice transplanting and maize weeding. At the same time, Many recently completed FFW projects are already people have to venture further and further away from being used to irrigate maize and paddy fields. For their homes to collect wild foods as the demand is example in Yonggwang County (), 18.5 kilometers of irrigation canals have

Situation Bulletin April May 2005 Page 5 been rehabilitated and are now irrigating 300 hectares amount of sugar is sufficient to allow the factories to of paddy field. 2,300 workers (45 per cent women) and uphold production until the end of 2005, the pipeline their families benefited from this FFW activity by remains bleak for wheat flour/wheat and milk powder receiving 80 kilograms of WFP maize, equivalent to 90 and new donations are urgently needed. Already in percent of a yearly PDS-ration. Embankment projects January WFP was forced to take measures to address supported by WFP in Sepho County (Kangwon the rapidly depleting stock of milk powder by shifting Province) are also finished and will be highly useful in production to CSB from previously processed Corn the upcoming rainy season (July-August) to protect Soya Milk Blend (CSM). And with no foreseen arable land from flooding. donations of milk powder, it was decided to revise the recipe for CMB production by replacing DSM with WFP - Local Food Production (LFP) wheat flour as of May. This will allow for continued Factories on the East Coast began receiving 1,020 biscuit production for children in kindergartens and tonnes of wheat flour donated by Caritas while 2,000 primary/boarding schools for another four months. tonnes of Cuban sugar was distributed to biscuit and blended food factories, including CSB, RMB and Cereal Milk Blend (CMB) factories. Although this

WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION

UNICEF - Water Supply and Environmental schools, hospitals, kindergartens and nurseries in Sanitation Programme - Update Rinsan, Yonsan, Unryul counties. Projects for Activities to establish a new water supply system construction of sanitary latrines for 1,000 households (ECHO funded) are underway in Yonsan and Rinsan are underway in Unryul, Rinsan, , Hyesan counties of and Unryul and Taehongdan counties. county of . Pipes and reinforced steel bars have been ordered. Cement has Triangle - Water and Sanitation project in been procured locally and is being transported to the Munchon (Donor: ECHO) counties. Drilling operations are on-going in all This year, the objective of the project is to increase counties in preparation for the installation of hand the water supply for 42,000 inhabitants in Munchon pumps. by increasing water pumping and storage capacity. The construction of a 1,000 m3 water tank beside the Activities to establish a new water supply system in existing one (900 m3) is on-going and is expected to Hyesan and Hoeryong cities (ECHO funded) are be finished in July. A second drilling campaign will underway. More pipes and fittings have been ordered begin in June 2005 in cooperation with the Ministry for Hyesan and transformers for Hoeryong. Also, of City Management. A Korean drilling company, 500MT of calcium hypochlorite which arrived at Dongsong, did a geophysical survey in order to Hyesan and Hoeryong in December 2004 through the define the most suitable area for drilling. Pumping northern border has been distributed in these cities tests will be conducted with the MoCM during this and near-by counties. drilling campaign. Rehabilitation of water facilities and latrines of the Munchon county hospital is also Water projects funded by several donors including on-going. OPEC, Japan and Australia in Tongmyongsan in Wonsan, Ranjong-ri in Kangwon Province, Gunnae- In April 2005, a water and sanitation specialist ri in South Hamgyong Province, Sinsang-gu District assessed two pilot projects on solar pumping and in South Hamgyong Province, and Pukchong County alternative sanitation systems, set up during the in South Hamgyong Province are underway. previous programme. The conclusions of this report will help in the future design of the sanitation Funded by the Government of Australia, 200MT of component, and of the solar pumping system to be calcium hypochlorite and motor repair materials were installed close to Munchon city where a complete ordered for distribution to the water treatment potable water network will be implemented (from the stations of the main populous cities including borehole to the household water-tap). Pyongyang, Hamhung, Chongjin and .

Projects are on-going for the general rehabilitation of WES facilities in 12 childcare institutions including

Situation Bulletin April May 2005 Page 6

AGRICULTURE

FAO - Support to the Double Cropping general objective of this assistance is to support the Programme (Swedish/SIDA funded) increase of yields for spring (wheat, barley, potato) Most components of this project are completed which and for summer (rice, soya, maize) crops through included the provision of tractors and threshers to 17 improved Soil Fertility Management (SFM) and to co-operative farms. The project is implemented in reduce post-harvest losses by the provision of inputs conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture. In - and farm machinery (seeders, planters, harvesters, country training on Integrated Pest Management tractors) to cooperative farms in the Cereal Bowl (IPM) for local technical experts will be conducted in region, coupled with the provision of technical mid-June 2005 for two weeks. Training is organized expertise and training. The Project document is being by an IPM expert from the FAO Bangkok office finalised in consultation with FAO technical together with a specialized trainer from China. A divisions and operations will be launched shortly. Study Tour with eight participants is planned for 2 weeks in July, to Sichuan Province, China. FAO - Support to the Coastal Fishing Cooperatives 2005 FAO - Support to Horticultural Crops The Government of Norway announced its Programme . (Funded by Finland) contribution of NOK3 million in support of Most components of this project are completed (input agricultural emergency assistance for food security. support, which included the provision of plastic These funds are proposed for the Fisheries sheets, garden tools and equipment, building Programme, as envisaged under the project profile materials for winter seed potato storage) with the “Support to Coastal Fishing Cooperatives 2005- actual construction still ongoing in 4 co-operative 2006”. The general objective of this assistance is to farms, in collaboration with the Swedish NGO PMU support both marine and freshwater fisheries Interlife. These farms are located in North and South production through the provision of basic inputs and Pyongan and are progressing satisfactorily. Garden refrigeration equipment, coupled with provision of tools were distributed to urban kindergartens in technical expertise and training. The project , Nampo, Sariwon, Wonsan, Hamhung document is being prepared with FAO technical and Chongjin and to the Pyongyang Vegetable divisions for likely start-up in July 2005. Research Institute. Brochures on food and nutrition for kindergartens and schools are foreseen under this FAO - Emergency assistance for the control and project. The first drafts are prepared and will be prevention of Avian Influenza ready for publication in the coming months. The Government of Australia announced its contribution of AUS$ 250,000 in support of the FAO - Support to the Double Cropping and Ministry of Agriculture’s Department of Veterinary Horticultural Programme (Norwegian funded) Service’s control and prevention operation. This Most components of this project are completed (input entails the supply of laboratory and other equipment, support, which included the provision of plastic and in-country and external training. The project sheets, garden tools and equipment, green manure document is being finalised with FAO technical seeds). Funding was largely combined with that from divisions for likely start-up in July 2005. Finland in order to implement this project, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture. Having FAO - Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) provided Input Support for some 7-8 seasons, there is Currently there are 5 projects being implemented by a slight shift in emphasis toward complementary line ministries (Agriculture, Fisheries) comprised of a activities, most especially in the area of Soil Fertility Soil Testing Facility, Conservation Agriculture pilot Management, where there is an increasing focus on project, Goat Breeding operation, Marine Green Manure crops and improved rotations and the Aquaculture and Rice Research. A sub-regional dissemination of the Conservation Agriculture project involving China, Republic of Korea and approach. Mongolia was recently completed on Avian Influenza, to raise local capacity to identify and FAO - Support to the Double-Cropping diagnose this disease and strains, as well as Programme (Summer/Autumn Crops 2005-2006) improving preparedness. The Government of Sweden has generously responded to this proposed project, and contributed FAO - Spring and early Summer growing SEK 8 million to FAO’s Emergency Operations and conditions Rehabilitation Division, for this programme. The Spring rainfall was below normal and ground frosts

Situation Bulletin April May 2005 Page 7 were experienced until early-April. However in May, looking healthy, although immature. Of some note precipitation was close to normal throughout the this season, are the increased quantities of dry land Cereal Bowl area (North and South Pyongan, rice being cultivated, mainly on an experimental Pyongyang, North and South Hwanghae). No reports basis on many co-operatives. of crops suffering from moisture stress were reported. However, the long winter has delayed the ripening In a good year, the overall Spring Crop (wheat, and maturing of wheat, barley and to some extent, barley and early potatoes) accounts for between 10- potato crops. 15 percent of national production, and even higher if one adds potato production from the uplands. For FAO - Food crops situation Season 2005 it is too soon to predict on yields. The delays experienced with wheat and barley crops reaching maturity are of some concern. These crops Agriculture Sector Group would normally be harvested about 20 June and at The Group meets on the 2nd Friday of every month in present may not be ripe before July. Although there Pyongyang, chaired by FAO. The May meeting were some unfavourable reports on early potatoes, included presentations from FAO headquarters yields were in excess of 20 tonnes per hectare in the experts on soil testing and analysis. The June meeting Cereal Bowl region (in some cases about 28 foresees presentations from IPM experts (SDC and tonnes/ha) where Double Cropping is practised. Most FAO) as well as FAO experts on Conservation of the (paddy) rice has been transplanted and should Agriculture. be completed in June. The maize and soya crops are

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Triangle - Oryong Polder Rehabilitation in (Donor: EU/AIDCO) The 3 year polder rehabilitation project is coming to an end on the 30th of June 2005. With an EU grant of 2.7 million euros, Triangle GH was able to import modern machinery, and with the cooperation of the South Pyongan provincial polder construction enterprise, to rehabilitate a 10 km dyke, construct new floodgates (see photos below) and rehabilitate the second polder floodgate. The result of this rehabilitation is the protection of 4,000 ha of agricultural land mainly dedicated to rice production. Given an average of 4 MT rice/ha at 150€/tonne for 4000 ha, the yearly contribution of this polder for the DPRK food security has almost the same value on an annual basis as the AIDCO grant. A new proposal for polder rehabilitation, to continue the collaboration with the local polder construction enterprise, will be submitted to EU/AIDCO for the year 2006.

North Polder Floodgates

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Situation Bulletin April May 2005 Page 8

Triangle - Training and Tree Nursery German Agro Action (GAA). Livelihood Rehabilitation (Donor: SIDA) Improvement in Agricultural Cooperatives of Since 2002, Triangle GH, in collaboration with North Pyongan. Concern, has supported Korean efforts at The aim of this project which started in February reforestation and increasing firewood production. 2004, is to improve the living conditions of the rural Primarily, this effort is aimed at helping county tree population living in agricultural cooperatives. The nurseries to increase their tree production and tree target group (around 8,000) are the disadvantaged lifespan. However, efforts need to be made in and vulnerable groups in three counties (Unsan, transplantation techniques and forestry management, Kujang and Hyangsan in ) which is dependent also on energy access and food suffering from severe and continuing food crises. The security for the local population. Triangle addressed project supports and facilitates the linking of these issues to the Ministry of Land Management and humanitarian aid to rehabilitation and development Environmental Protection but until now, the Korean efforts. The cooperative members are trained to authorities prefer that support is given directly to the manage their farms in a sustainable way (ecologically tree nurseries. The procurement of machinery has and economically) so that the supply of food will be been completed and the design of irrigation facilities improved and stabilised. in the three new tree nurseries in North Pyongan (Cholsan, Dongrim, Sonchon) is on-going. A study The project follows an integrated approach and tour for the tree nursery managers and officials from consists of different components such as crop MoLEP will take place from 2 to 13 July in Harbin management, water supply, animal husbandry, potato Forestry University in China. Two professors from storage and food processing, capacity building and Pihyon Forestry University (North Pyongan environmental interventions. Regarding crop Province) will be trained for one month. Different management, agricultural machinery (rice themes will be explored including organic transplanting machines, tractors, threshers) and production, sustainable forest management, and fuel inputs for rice seedlings (PE-sheeting), have been wood production. provided. To increase production, NPK fertilizer and pesticides have been supplied, as well as fuel for ADRA - Genam Biogas Project transport. Test plots have been set up to test new crop ADRA will soon begin a Sterile Garden Project varieties with a higher yield, as well as to test various funded by OCHA in Genam, South Hwangae. This crop rotation systems including green manure crops. project will use the slurry provided by the Biogas plant built last year, to provide nutrients for For the reduction of post harvest losses, a potato greenhouse gardening. Some of the biogas produced storage facility, including a sprouting house has been can be used to heat the greenhouse during winter constructed. Equipment for starch and milk providing the people in the area with vegetables and processing (Yoghurt) has been purchased and improving their nutrition and food security. delivered. Training in tractor use and soil preparation has been carried out and visits to other cooperative farms are also organized for the cooperative staff. Currently, one training/study tour for greenhouse vegetable production, animal husbandry and farm management is taking place in China.

EDUCATION

UNICEF - Education Programme – Update The provision of the remaining supplies for workshop on Lifeskills Education for senior officials Ryongchon education institutions affected by the of the Ministry of Education in Pyongyang during 4th train explosion in 2004 was completed, as was the to 6 th April. construction work on dormitories in Ryongchon Secondary School No.1 and the replacement of The technical assessment for the rehabilitation of 2 classroom doors of Siam Primary School in primary schools in , Kangwon Ryongchon. Province and Heryong City, has been completed. A Regional Advisor on Lifeskills and Behavioural Change from UNICEF Regional Office facilitated a

Situation Bulletin April May 2005 Page 9

ADRA - Pyongsong Boarding School Project · Improved Nutrition. A 150 m2 extension to the The Pyongsong Boarding School Project for 600 kitchen, 1 greenhouse, and the provision of food students is under way. Meetings with local processing and kitchen equipment. representatives and the provincial FDRC were positive and work has started on the foundations and · Educational and Recreational. Supply 300 desks construction plans. This project has different outputs: and 600 chairs, teaching and learning aids, balls and nets, and 600 student stationery kits. · Building and Rehabilitation. Extended sleeping quarters, 12 new classrooms, new and refurbished · Hygiene, Clothing and Medical. Supply 600 toilets and bathrooms, insulation and heating clothing and footwear sets, washing and hygiene systems, water supply and plumbing, safe items, basic medicines and first aid kits. electrical wiring, alternative energy sources. · Health Training. Improve staff knowledge of child health, nutrition and care practices.

IFRC OPERATIONAL UPDATE

International Federation A Strategic Review was undertaken to review the delegates from IFRC were members of the committee overall involvement of the Federation and its for the theme group on HIV/AIDS, and organized a members in the DPRK. The report will be ready in two day workshop on HIV/AIDS awareness for June and will form the foundation for a Cooperation international and national staff of international Assistance Strategy, which aims at improving the organizations on 7th And 8th of April in the Grand coherence and long term planning of all international People Study House. support to the DPRK Red Cross. The first outcome of the review was discussed in Mongolia at a IFRC - Water and sanitation activities (ECHO ‘partnership meeting’ with the main donor Red Cross Funded) Societies for the DPRK. Following the meeting, desk Construction of wells, pump houses and storage tanks officers from Geneva, Netherlands Red Cross, in 30 villages is ongoing. Procurement of pipes, Norwegian Red Cross and Finnish Red Cross visited couplings and other materials for this project is in the DPRK in the third week of May. progress. Regular meetings between the NS Watsan and IFRC teams were held to discuss planning, Health Promotion and Community-Based First design issues, procurement of materials and field Aid (CBFA) trips. The DPRK Red Cross organised a 2-day The RC volunteers and community health technical workshop for Farm Managers, Farm professionals (household doctors and nurses) Technicians, RC Branch watsan volunteers and other increased their CBFA skills, awareness and relevant personnel from the new target communities knowledge on prevention and care for the benefit of for SRC in South Hamgyong Province. On request local people vulnerable to the most common diseases. the Federation watsan team visited ICRC Four-day TOT workshops were organized on CBFA, Orthopaedic Centre on May 11th to look at the water health promotion and DM for RC trainers from 65 supply, and gave recommendations to improve the cities and counties. Teaching materials have been situation (water supply out of order). reviewed and it was recommended to simplify different teaching materials into one module. The IFRC - Disaster Management and Preparedness ministerial departments involved will develop one (DM/DP) comprehensive and simplified module for integrated A workshop for disaster management was conducted training, and the pilot workshops will be held in June in Huichang County, South Pyongan Province. The and July. objective of the three-day workshop was to improve the capacity of the Red Cross volunteers and IFRC - HIV/AIDS community members in disaster management. 22 In cooperation with MoPH DPRK, WHO and volunteers attended the workshop. UNICEF, IFRC and DPRK RC developed an HIV/AIDS education brochure and 15,000 copies Another small disaster occurred on the 4th April. A have been printed and distributed in the middle of fire broke out in Unjong Ri, , April at the Federation accessible areas. Two health Kangwon province. The local Red Cross branch

United Nations, Munsudong, Pyongyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Situation Bulletin April May 2005 Page 10 conducted the assessment and reported that 47 by this project and observed the running of the families/211 victims were affected. The DPRK RC irrigation system. Meetings were held with people and the Federation distributed the DP items to the engaged in a similar project with Triangle and affected families. The items include 211 pieces UNDP, and views were exchanged on the tree blankets, 47 kitchen sets, 94 pieces plastic sheeting, seedling production manual which will be published 47 pieces water container and 12,660 WPT. by the funds provided by Caritas Hong Kong.

In 2005, the Community Based Disaster Project IFRC - Organizational Development of the DPRK (CBDP) extended to South Hamgyong province. Red Cross Following a Tot workshop, two follow-up visits in An extended National Development OD Committee April and May were carried out by DPRK RC and the meeting with co-facilitation of the Federation AP OD Disaster Management delegate to the project areas. In coordinator took place in May and a NS Human all 10 Ra’s, CBDP committees were formed, which Resource Development Working Group was formed. are actively involved in community disaster Consisting of 4 branch leaders and 3 HQ directors, preparedness. They identified their vulnerability, this working group will undertake the overall hazards and capacities and have worked out a DP revision of volunteer, staff and governance training action plan with clearly-defined roles and curricula and manuals by the end of September 2005. responsibilities for the people concerned. Federation tools for training good governance and IFRC – Forestry Husbandry staff were translated and in mid January 48 city and DPRK RC carried out a tree planting campaign with county level branch leaders in South Hwanghae the participation of RC youth volunteers in Unjon Province participated in a provincial governance county on April 7th.2005. This event took place with workshop and tested the first draft of the governance the close collaboration of the RC Unjon branch and training curriculum. An assessment of the needs to the county forestry station authorities. Around 40 facilitate training was carried out in South and North youth volunteers, 10 workers from the county Pyongan, South Hamgyong and Kangwon Province forestry station and two NS HQ staff participated. in March and April. Two Norwegian foresters visited DPRK RC in April to visit five tree nurseries currently being supported

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