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Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs

OCHA OFFICE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF

DPR KOREA: SITUATION BULLETIN

October November 2004 No. 07/04 PREMIERE URGENCE – ANJU HOSPITAL

· PREMIERE URGENCE Premiere Urgence. Rehabilitation of Anju Hospital Roof REHABILITATES ANJU ROOF Last year Premiere Urgence built a SARS isolation ward in Anju Hospital (South ) and provided rehabilitation material and · WHO. EPILEPSY PILOT ward furniture to the hospital in May-June 2003 with ECHO funding. The PROJECT Anju City Hospital is a 600 bed structure built in 1975, covering a population of 245,000 people (mainly labourers). However, the bad · SCF-UK. PROGRAMME REVIEW condition of the roof of the hospital endangered the newly built SARS isolation ward, operating theatres and other parts of the building, as water was leaking through the walls after rain or snowfalls. Premiere Urgence, recognizing the urgency of repairing the roof of the hospital, presented a funding proposal to UN OCHA in order to solve the problem. Premiere FURTHER INFORMATION: Urgence made a deta iled assessment of the roof’s condition. The existing roofing of the hospital was made of galvanized iron sheets, as old as the Richard Ragan Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. hospital (about 30 years). These galvanized iron sheets had to be replaced with corrugated iron. Première Urgence implemented the rehabilitation Tel: +8502-3817-221 programme between September and the end of October. The total surface of Fax: +8502-3817-639 the hospital (3,194 m2) is now protected (88% is completely new; the E-Mail: [email protected] remaining 12% with rehabilitated sheeting). Around 20 m2 of slates were George Murray saved during the operations and are kept at the hospital in case of future Head of Office emergency needs. (See photographs on page 2). OCHA Pyongyang Tel: +8502-3817-490 Fax: +8502-3817-491 Premiere Urgence. Emergency distribution of Intravenous (IV) fluid consumables to the University Hospital in Pyongyang City. E-Mail: [email protected] During the night of the 7th August 2004, a fire completely destroyed the warehouse of the University hospital in Pyongyang. All the IV and medical Electronic copies of this Bulletin (Adobe consumables bought by Première Urgence for the hospital were lost in the Acrobat PDF format) can be obtained from www.humanitarianinfo.org/dprk or by e- fire, and medicines and wheelchairs belonging to the health facility were also mailing [email protected]. destroyed. The warehouse had a metallic structure with wooden walls and there was no chance to save any materials inside. The Ministry of Public Health immediately released an order to rebuild a new warehouse made of

bricks and concrete with partitions, in order to better protect the equipment stored in the warehouse. Première Urgence realised that if the stocks of IV consumables were not replaced, the University hospital would have to go back to its old system of IV fluids production using recycled bottles. This would ruin the efforts of PU as a fully working production line is available and guarantees the quality of the IV fluids produced in the hospital. Première Urgence received help from UN OCHA in order to replace the lost quantities and re-establish normal working conditions and quality products. At that time, and in order to continue the production of IV fluids in the hospital, Première Urgence organized an emergency distribution using the storage of three other hospitals in DPR Korea. These hospitals are part of the network that Première Urgence has established in DPR Korea for IV fluids production using ECHO funding. Première Urgence is also implementing technical training for laboratory staff supported by ECHO regular programmes. A week long training and demonstrations started in December in Anju City Hospital (). The same training will be implemented in the University Hospital in 2005. Training manuals have been translated into Korean and printed and distributed.

United Nations, Munsudong, Pyongyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Situation Bulletin March 2004 Page 2

ANJU CITY HOSPITAL

August 2004 October 2004

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

WHO. Malaria control between DPRK, The epidemiology of the malaria outbreak on the Korean and peninsula has many common features. The meeting WHO organized a meeting on vivax malaria in East Asia provided a unique opportunity for malaria experts from in , China from 29 November to 2 December South and to discuss the control of malaria. 2004, as a follow up to a similar meeting organized last After a peak in 2001 with 300,000 reported cases, the year. National programme managers, country and WHO number of malaria cases in DPRK this year fell to 33,677 experts from PR China, DPRK and ROK participated in as of November 2004. This can be attributed to the control the Shanghai meeting. The meeting’s main objective was efforts carried out by the Ministry of Public Health to exchange information and discuss issues related to (MoPH) with the support of WHO and other interregional malaria control. Activities included a review of the current organizations. South Korea has been the main donor for malaria situation, assessment of the effectiveness of the malaria control programme. treatment regimens and control measures, and a discussion and field visit to Jiangsu Institute of Parasitology. Recommendations from the meeting highlight the importance of information exchange and collaboration between countries in East Asia, especially in the control of

United Nations, Munsudong, Pyongyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Situation Bulletin August September 2004 Page 3 malaria at border areas. WHO will support special training and understanding the importance of the convergence of for malaria programme managers which will help sectoral inputs/services, i.e., health and nutrition, water strengthen technical knowledge and managerial skills as and sanitation, and education in programme planning and well as sharing experiences in control techniques. The implementation. The “focus country approach”, and the establishment of a vivax malaria network was proposed to convergence of services/sectoral, is an initiative in the help intensify collaboration on malaria control. A small implementation process of an IECD strategy in DPRK. technical working group will be formed to assess current knowledge, and identify the operational, research and UNICEF. Publication of “Facts for Life” Handbook. capacity needs related to vectors of malaria. A launch of the “Family Book”, an adapted version of Facts For Life (FFL), was organized by UNICEF and WHO to start pilot project for epilepsy sufferers. NCC, the first event of this kind in DPRK. The purpose of The global epilepsy prevalence rates considered as a the launch was to raise awareness among high level public health problem is in the range of 3-8/1000 decision makers in the government and donor agencies on population. Although there are no systematic studies on a dissemination strategy of key messages of FFL in epilepsy in DPR Korea, experience suggests that epilepsy DPRK. About 50 high level decision makers, including the is a public health problem in DPR Korea. Epilepsy affects vice-minister of MoPH, senior government officials, all age groups, but particularly children. Having epilepsy Ambassadors from the UK, Sweden, and Germany, a can severely affect lives, but in many cases, epileptic fits DFID delegation from UK, and representatives of UN can be controlled by medication available at low cost. agencies and NGOs gathered for the event. Earlier in the same programme, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) A WHO expert on epilepsy carried out an assessment in presented the Korean version/adaptation of ChildInfo, a November on the current situation of epilepsy and the statistical presentation package that was developed by the practices for management of epileptic cases in the country. CBS, and is currently being used for base-line data from The assessment showed that there is a need for upgrading selected Focus Counties. knowledge about epilepsy for health care providers at all levels and there is a shortage of medications needed for The Korean Democratic Women’s Union (KDWU) is one treatment of epilepsy. The WHO expert also conducted a of the key partner agencies involved in the dissemination training course for ‘Master Trainers’ aimed at training of key messages of the Family Book. KDWU has a strong neurologists and physicians from 10 provinces in the network from central level to dong/ri level. In September, country on the identification and management of epilepsy. with UNICEF’s assistance, KDWU conducted a two day Training manuals were translated into Korean and were training to 150 lecturers in Pyongyang. The 150 lecturers, reviewed during the training sessions. WHO also procured responsible for conducting similar training for their anti-epileptic medicines as part of the CAP project where respective provinces and counties, conducted training essential medicines are supplied to vulnerable groups with activities in October and November. special needs. UNICEF/WFP. Nutrition Assessment 2004 WHO recommends that a pilot program be conducted in The joint UNICEF/WFP/Government Nutrition two provinces to assess the feasibility of implementing the Assessment for 2004 took place in October. 4,800 strategy for ‘Identification and Management of Epilepsy in randomly selected children and 2,100 women in 7 the Community’. Community education should be accessible provinces were measured and questioned by 31 promoted through Information, Education and national and international WFP staff and staff from Communication (IEC) campaigns and through supporting UNICEF, the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Institute materials (e.g. posters, pamphlets, radio spots etc) aimed at of Child Nutrition. A three-day training of all involved reducing social stigmas and encouraging people to seek was carried out during the week leading up to the treatment. assessment to ensure a successful outcome. Both the government and the assessed communities cooperated very UNICEF. Integrated Early Childhood Development well; for example the number of women agreeing to take (IECD) part in the haemoglobin test increased substantially Early in autumn, orientation training was organized by compared to 2002 when the last survey was done. The NCC on Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD), report of the findings will be published in late January the first orientation arranged for senior government 2005. officials from different ministries at the central level. Senior officials from the Ministry of Public Health, UNICEF. Programme Reviews for 2005 Ministry of Education, Ministry of City Management, the UNICEF completed a series of programme reviews with Legal Department, Korean Democratic Women Union, all sectors and on 23 November, a cross-sectoral Grand Peoples Study House and UNICEF participated in programme review with programme counterparts from the orientation. NCC, Line Ministries and Departments, along with UNICEF national and international programme staff. The purpose of the orientation was to generate a deep Thorough discussions were held where the past year's understanding on the holistic need of children for their performance, constraints and opportunities were presented optimal growth and development, and to also review a by counterparts, and future plans were outlined for 2005 proposed work plan. The major issues focused on and beyond. Currently, Project Plans of Action (PPAs) for addressing children’s needs from a life cycle perspective,

Situation Bulletin August September 2004 Page 4

2005 are being drafted jointly by UNICEF and the their doctor, targeting those most at risk, including Government. children of mothers unable to breastfeed, malnourished children, selected post-operative patients, selected elderly UNICEF. ORS Production patients, patients with digestive disorders, and other In September 250,000 sachets of ORS were produced, in patients malnourished or where improved nutrition was October 220,000, and in November 200,000. The total vital to recovery. production for January to November stands at 2,580,000 sachets. The project was able to demonstrate a number of positive results and gained significant success in expanding the UNICEF, Central Medical Warehouse (CMW) reach of other health sector investments by reducing A consultant from the Danish Refugee Council visited admission times, facilitating earlier and more frequent DPRK from 16 October to 9 November, to conduct an admissions to hospital, and by reducing the numbers of assessment of the storage and logistic capacity of the patients presented for treatment for malnourishment. This CMW, staff training needs, the stock-keeping system, and has resulted in an immediate improvement in the health to describe activities and provide recommendations. The and well-being of vulnerable populations within the DPRK consultant gave a 10-day training to the CMW staff. The for the most critical season in 2004. Conditions in 2005 recommendations will be implemented and followed-up in are, however, expected to remain similar to those close collaboration with government partners. experienced this year, and as such a future intervention of this nature is likely to be required in other provinces. UNFPA. Management Training Workshop UNFPA organized a management training workshop in The advantage of this form of intervention has been that Pyongyang in November. Government partners including those most at risk of suffering from the long term effects the Ministry of Health, Central Bureau of Statistics, Grand of malnourishment can gain high quality treatment early. It People’s Study House, and the NCC, participated in the also serves to strengthen the role of formal health care workshop. The workshop emphasized standardised facilities in the community, by improving the population’s reporting, discussed monitoring tools and explored confidence in accessing services early and more common rates of payment in projects, such as the service frequently. As the nation makes a transition to costs of national consultants, and travel costs of development, these factors will be critical in ensuring that government staff for project purposes. improvements in the health and well-being of the population are not left trailing behind economic UNFPA. AIDS Day development. During AIDS day, UNFPA distributed 5000 condoms in an effort to raise awareness, and promote condoms in the Save the Children-UK (SCF-UK). Review of Activities fight against HIV/AIDS. Packaging of condoms in a Save the Children UK had a nutritionist seconded to culturally appropriate manner will be introduced to DPRK UNICEF for two years from 1998-2000 and subsequent by UNFPA. discussions with the Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee (FDRC) established a programme in the ADRA. Hospital Hygiene country, which began in August 2003. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has been implementing a hospital hygiene project in The initial project was implemented in 3 counties in North DPRK, funded by the German Foreign Office, since April Pyongan Province and in City in Kangwon 2004, with the objective of improving the health and Province. It focussed on the renovation of kitchens in 31 nutrition of vulnerable populations within two provinces of kindergartens and nurseries with a distribution of kitchen the DPRK. High quality hygiene products were identified utensils, clothes, mattresses and blankets. The project was at a relatively low cost and distributed through 22 health competed in April 2004. Replication of this initial project care facilities within South Hamgyong and North is taking place in Yomju and Pakchon counties of North Hwangae provinces over a 6 month period. Pyongan Province in 4 locations per county and in 11 ris in County, South . These latter The first part of the project was to address hygiene projects are more comprehensive and include replacement problems which are a major contributing factor to the windows and doors as part of a winterisation programme, spread of disease within the DPRK. For the hygiene kits, as well as a water and sanitation component. three products were selected and distributed: an antibacterial liquid soap with dispenser and refills for staff A new project is addressing improved access to quality for hand-washing after treating patients carrying infectious basic health services in Tanchon County, South diseases or when hand/body contamination occurred; Hamgyong Province with funding from ECHO. The initial general purpose soap for patient and staff use; and washing phase is near completion and the main phase came into powder for cleaning bed linen and reusable medical operation in September 2004. This project is looking at the materials. rehabilitation of 9 ri level clinics/hospitals, provision of water and sanitation to health and child welfare facilities The second part of the project was developing a broad (including those in ), household preventative coverage for malnutrition, and targeted water and sanitation and support to the county school of severely malnourished patients. Inpatients received an in- nursing. country manufactured supplement under the direction of

Situation Bulletin August September 2004 Page 5

Additional work has been funded by the German Embassy Province and an assessment of further needs was in supporting a local NGO, the Korean Family Planning completed in November. and Mother and Child Health Association, for the provision of in service training to midwives and producing Future plans include further replication of the community health education materials. The British Embassy has based health project, increased assistance to the State funded a supplementary project in Tanchon County, institutions in South and North Hamgyong Provinces and providing a gravity fed water system to two communities, additional support for the Korean Family Planning and rehabilitation of the nursery, and rehabilitation of the water Mother and Child Health Association. In addition, SCF- and sanitation system in the county school of nursing. UK is collaborating with UNICEF and WHO on health and child rights programming possibilities. The SIDA/OCHA NGO Funding Mechanism has provided funds for the provision of warm winter clothing and bedding to the four State institutions in South Hamgyong

FOOD AID

WFP - Summary unemployed who were not able to attend distributions to With the arrival of several large contributions, WFP was collect their allocation. In several regions, including able to feed all 6.5 million targeted beneficiaries with Pyongyang, workers and officials were permitted to take planned rations in October and November. Substantive time off from work to prepare the kimchi. new pledges will allow WFP to continue this support through May 2005, with the exception of oil, which will As there is no trade in winter vegetables across county run out as early as January for some beneficiary groups. borders and each county is dependent on local production, the size of the vegetable ration varied quite considerably WFP continued to experience a high number of between counties; rations of 50-200 kg/person were cancellations of field visits in November, particularly in reported. Many counties distributed smaller rations than , which has been closed off for last year due to decreased production. This could have monitoring since August 2004. In accordance with WFP’s serious impact on people’s micro-nutrient intake as kimchi strict ‘no access, no food’ policy, all food distributions to is the only source of vegetables during the winter. Chagang will be suspended from December 2004 through to February 2005. This impacts 7 counties where WFP WFP Monitoring previously had access. On October 20, WFP proposed 33 field visits for a 2-week period of which 11 were cancelled. This marks an increase On October 26-30, an inter-agency mission led by WFP in the level of cancellations over the last 2 years which Senior Deputy Executive Director Mr. Jean-Jacques have been around 1%. WFP is developing a new model for Graisse held talks with the Government in Pyongyang to monitoring that considers a decrease in visits, but increases discuss future methods of humanitarian collaboration and the quality of information gathered. coordination after the September announcement that the DPRK would not participate in the annual Consolidated The number of monthly monitoring visits went up Appeal Process (CAP). Other members of the mission considerably from 222 in October to 481 in November. included representatives from WHO, UNICEF and OCHA. This was despite the fact that WFP continued to The mission also visited the Port of to witness the experience a high number of cancellations. In total, 21 discharge of a cereal donation and paid visits to a family monitoring days (63 monitoring visits) were cancelled in and kindergarten that receive WFP food aid. November, equivalent to 20% of total Vulnerable Group Feeding monitoring visits. Currently, 154 of 203 counties WFP - Operational Review are accessible to WFP, representing 83 % of the civilian The food security situation in the country improved in population. October with the harvest of rice/maize and with the arrival of rice received as a concessional loan from the ROK. This WFP – Food for Work (FFW) brought the prices of cereals in markets down slightly, but WFP concluded the fall season project assessment process. prices were still about five times higher than the previous In total, 81 proposals were received from FDRC for the year. The Public Distribution System ration remained at fall season. Among them, 37 assessed projects requiring 300 g/person/day. 7,438 mt of cereals were approved at the First Project Review Committee meeting held on October 12. Another The harvest and distribution of vegetables for making 33 assessed projects requiring 6,481 mt food was reviewed winter kimchi (fermented cabbage and radishes) took place at the Second Project Review Committee me eting in November. The vegetables were distributed directly to scheduled for November 1, and all 33 projects were co-operative farmers whereas factory workers/officials and approved. This brings the total number of projects to be caregivers received their rations through factory and implemented for the fall season to 70, requiring institutions, and housewives received their rations through approximately 14,000 MT of food. their husband’s place of employment. County authorities arranged deliveries for the elderly, disabled and

Situation Bulletin August September 2004 Page 6

WFP held two successful workshops on FFW proposal CSM/CMB recipes, which had been halved in July 2004 in preparation for 2005: one in Anju county (S. Phyongan) on order to save sugar for biscuit production. November 9 and one in (N. Hwanghae) on November 11. In total, FDRC representatives from 67 out The LFP Steering Committee Meeting took place on of 84 counties attended the workshops where they were November 9 with participation from UNICEF, FDRC, presented with FFW guidelines and materials. Following German Agro Action, Adventist Relief and Development the workshop, Korean translations of the relevant materials Agency and Campus fur Christus. On the agenda were were forwarded to those counties who did not have LFP performance, problems and achievements in 2004. representatives present. One of the new features of FFW The participants agreed to hold SC meetings bi-annually activities in 2005 is that at the beginning of the year, the instead of quarterly as more and more problems are being counties will submit proposals for the whole year instead solved on the spot owing to the improved relationship of for two seasons (Spring and Fall) separately. between all partners.

WFP - Local Food Production A two-day retreat for managers and engineers from biscuit In October, 5,297mt of food were produced in WFP- and blended food factories took place in (S. supported Local Food Production (LFP) factories. This Hamgyong Province) on 2 and 3 November. More than 35 included 2,241mt of biscuits, 260mt of noodles and 2,573 participants from 14 LFP factories in Pyongyang, , mt of blended foods. A new Cereal Milk Blend factory Wonsan, , and participated. became operational in Huichon, Chagang province, thus FDRC supported the retreat by providing the venue and bringing the total number of WFP-supported LFP factories covering travel/accommodation costs for the participants. in DPRK to 19. The purpose of the retreat was to improve production through sharing of technical and managerial experience The total output in November was over 5,300mt, among the participants. equivalent to 80% of the EMOP’s monthly requirement. This included 2,000mt of biscuits, 2,800mt of CSM/CMB, WFP Commodity Arrivals 400mt of noodles and 9mt of RMB. The low output of 36,000 mt of wheat donated by the US and 2,400 mt RMB was due to the delayed procurement of packaging soybeans and 25,000 mt of wheat donated by arrived materials. The production of blended foods, biscuits and in the country in October. 29,200 mt of wheat donated by noodles slowed down as some of the factories were getting Japan and Germany and 1,980 mt of sugar donated by close to fulfilling WFP production quotas for 2004. Japan arrived in November.

The main constraint in production in November was a World Vision shortage of sugar due to delayed shipments. FDRC local World Vision shipped 200MT of soybeans valued at authorities agreed to provide short-term loans to WFP US$98,000 to Ryongchon in early September. It arrived in supported factories to achieve WFP pending orders for Shinuiju, a neighbouring city of Ryongchon, on September 2004. With the receipt of sugar, WFP will restore sugar in 5th, before being distributed to residents of Ryongchon.

WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION

UNICEF. Water Supply Province (4), and Kowon (4) and Jongpyong county(4) in The rehabilitation of water supply systems is in progress in . 10,000 children and 1,000 Hyesan city, , which will result in teachers/caregivers, and 1,000 pregnant women benefited adequate clean water for the population. This includes the from this programme. construction of collecting chambers, and sedimentation and filtration tanks. The drilling of 130 bore holes and the UNICEF also demonstrated the feasibility of household installation of hand pumps has been completed in North sanitation by upgrading/constructing sanitation facilities in and South Pyongan provinces resulting in adequate clean 1525 households in in Kangwon province water for the children and caregivers of 4 child care (450), Kowon county (350) and Jongpyong county (300) institutions. About 10,000 children benefited. County level in South Hamgyong province, and Yonsan county in North water supply and sanitation improvement plans have been (425). 1525 families (about 6100 completed for four county towns, instead of three as people) benefited. originally planned, namely Yonsan, Rinsan, Unryul, and towns. This will benefit an additional All the above UNICEF water and sanitation activities were 120,000 people. funded by ECHO

UNICEF. Sanitation/rehabilitation Triangle - EU Troika Visits Polder Rehabilitation Upgrading of sanitation/hand washing facilities has been Project completed in 22 child care institutions, including nurseries, The EU Troika delegation visited the AIDCO funded kindergartens, baby homes, primary schools and paediatric project “Polder Rehabilitation in South Pyongan” and the hospitals, in Sinuiju (4), Nampo city (4), Yonsan county in hospital where Triangle has installed a (2), Kosan county in Kangwon solar pumping system, rehabilitated bathrooms and latrines

Situation Bulletin August September 2004 Page 7

(ECHO watsan project) and implemented a winterisation be improved. Initially, the donor contribution of 450,000€, project thanks to OCHA support. The Euryong Polder means that the rehabilitation of the distribution network Rehabilitation project was scheduled to finish in December will be partial. Additional funding in 2006 will be 2004, but AIDCO allowed a 6 months extension to necessary to rehabilitate the whole system. Water implement an additional objective, the rehabilitation of the management training and health promotion will complete North dam, which is used both for Euryong and for Polder. the programme activities. On the sanitation side, Triangle The project will be completed in June 2005. GH will continue pilot sanitation activities such as those implemented in 2004 (biogas, ecosan and movable pit Triangle - Water and Sanitation Project in latrines) in institutions such as kindergartens and schools. city (Kangwon Province) Villages around Munchon city are badly connected to the From November 2004, Triangle started a new ECHO electricity network, so solar pumping systems are a viable funded watsan project in Munchon City in Kangwon option and Triangle will benefit from experiences gained Province on the east coast. The main objective is to ensure in South Pyongan province in 2004. An evaluation of these adequate quantities and improved quality of water for the pilot systems is on-going with Korean partners: the 42,000 inhabitants of Munchon and to improve sanitation Electronic Research Centre (ERC) for the solar pumps, facilities in 17 institutions (county hospital, nurseries, and the Ministry of City Management for comparing the kindergartens and schools). All components of the city efficiency of the different types of latrines. water system, from water sources to pumping equipment, storage and distribution for the community as a whole, will

AGRICULTURE

FAO-WFP Crops and Food Supply Assessment Institutes and others having an interest in agriculture, Mission's Report (CFSAM) 2004 horticulture, fish/marine culture, forestry and The joint FAO-WFP Crops and Food Supply Assessment environmental issues. Major issues under discussion Mission's Report was released in November. Mission include Soil Fertility Management, Conservation highlights were that DPR Korea's food production in 2004- Agriculture, and the reduction/rational use of pesticides 05 is estimated to show a slight increase of about 3 per and toxic substances in the context of Integrated Pest cent over last year's revised harvest, thus continuing the Management (IPM). Additionally, a Green Table working trend of recovery witnessed since 2001. Cereal production group has produced theme papers on “Goats” and in 2004-05, including potatoes in cereal equivalent and “Mechanisation”, and is finalising a paper on “Sloping production from household gardens and sloping lands, is Land Management”. forecast at 4.235 million tones with milled rice, or 5.064 million tones with paddy, the best harvest over the last 10 Triangle GH Continues Forestry Programme in 2005 years. In spite of this recovery, domestic production still thanks to SIDA Support. falls well below the minimum food needs and the country To combat the deforestation of marginal lands that has led will again have to depend on external assistance as its to slope destabilization and to the loss of fertile topsoil, the capacity to commercially import food remains highly Korean government launched a national reforestation constrained. The report can be accessed on policy. This policy is based around the Korean forestry http://www.fao.org/giews/ nurseries that are in charge of the production of samples for reforestation. FAO Representative in China, DPR Korea and Mongolia Triangle GH started working in forestry in 2002 and Dr Nourredin Mona, a Syrian national, made his initial reinforced the production of 6 county tree nurseries: visit to DPR Korea between 7-11 December to present his Mundok, , in South Pyongan Province, credentials and duly met with partner line ministries and and Unryul, Jaeryong and in South Hwanghae the Minister of Foreign Affairs. A field trip to Pyongyang Province. and South Pyongan provinces was arranged to view various project activities. Dr Mona met with the resident In 2005, with the collaboration of FDRC and the Ministry Agriculture Sector group. As part of his multi- of Land and Environmental Protection, Triangle GH will accreditation, Dr Mona will also visit Mongolia 21-24 continue providing technical assistance and inputs to December. county tree nurseries, in three new tree nurseries: Dangrim, Taechon and Sonchon in North Pyongan Agricultural Sector Coordination Province. Triangle will equip them with new irrigation FAO is the focal point, in DPR Korea, for Agricultural systems, tractors, plastic sunshade nets and green houses, Sector activities. The Sector meets monthly in Pyongyang in order to optimise production, improve working on the second Friday. Among the regular participants are conditions and to increase the survival rate of juvenile tree CESVI, DWHH/German Agro Action, Concern, Triangle, growths. Triangle will continue working in Kaechon PMU Interlife, WFP, IFRC, FALU, EU-FSU, Swiss (South Pyongan), Jaeryong and Haeju (South Hwanghae), Development Corporation (SDC), Campus fur Christus in the three tree nurseries already supported by Triangle and UNDP. A wider network exists, which includes GH in 2004. Apart from the necessary follow-up of 2004 resident and non-resident Agencies, NGOs, Research activities, Triangle will focus on experimental areas for

Situation Bulletin August September 2004 Page 8

cutting and sowing, improving seed preparation and managers to China, exchange visits among Korean tree storage, and introducing new species (e.g. Sea buckthorn). nurseries (in co-operation with CONCERN WW) will also Capacity-building of our local partners is still a key contribute to providing new knowledge and promoting element of this programme. This year, a new collaboration experimentation and new initiatives of local partners in with the Pihyon Forestry University included two months 2005. of intensive training in China for two professors, the provision of equipment, and the rehabilitation of tree nurseries in North Pyongan. A study tour for tree nursery

IFRC OPERATIONAL UPDATE

IFRC - Supply of Medical Items systems are under construction, and materials have been 120 supplementary drug kits donated by the Finnish Red received and distributed. Construction is ongoing and will Cross were distributed to the referral health institutions in also be completed at the end of December. 41 /counties of South Phyongan, North Phyongan, North Hwanghae and South Hamgyong provinces in A new watsan application to ECHO, for 30 targeted October and November. Also, 3133 basic drug kits, funded communities in 2005, has been made through the by the Norwegian Red Cross, were supplied to the primary Netherlands Red Cross. If approved, more than 75,000 health institutions in two counties of North Phyongan, one beneficiaries will receive support through the county of South Phyongan, seven cities/counties of Jagang construction/rehabilitation of 30 water supply systems, 15 and 15 cities/counties of South Hamgyong. waste water collection systems and 300 biogas latrines.

IFRC - Training IFRC - Disaster Management In October and November, various workshops were During the period October-November 2004, DPRK Red conducted. In health, five workshops on infectious disease Cross disaster preparedness programme activities focused control were organized for 100 household doctors from the on capacity building of Red Cross volunteers. Three Red Cross (RC) supported health institutions, and two disaster management workshops were organized in areas workshops on rational drug use were conducted for a which are most susceptible to disasters: in Kaesong city on further 40 household doctors. In water and sanitation, one 12th to 14th October; Dokchon city in South Pyongan workshop on water-borne diseases was undertaken for 20 province on 9 th to 11th November; and Jongju city in North RC volunteers and water/sanitation technicians from IFRC Pyongan province on 23rd to 25th November. A total of 90 W/S project villages, and a one day technical workshop for community volunteers were trained in the workshops. The pump house keepers and watsan volunteers of 40 target topics covered in the workshops included: 1) the Red communities was conducted in the field by a NS Watsan Cross/Red Crescent Movement; 2) Red Cross Roles and technician during November. Responsibilities; 3) an overview of Disaster Management and Disaster Response with reference to the DPRK Red IFRC - Water and Sanitation Cross; 4) Disaster Assessment and Methodology; 5) The Materials for 30 water supply system extensions have been Sphere Project and Relief Management; and 6) received, transported and distributed to the targeted Community Based Disaster Preparedness. communities. Completion of the work is expected to be finalized at the end of December. Ten more water supply

Organisations, with programmes in DPRK, are invited to contribute to the Bulletin. Submissions can be emailed to [email protected]

The OCHA Office in DPRK produces this Bulletin on the basis of information supplied by contributing organizations and public sources. Swedish SIDA is funding the OCHA Office in 2004

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