North Korea: 22 Dead from Record Heavy Rain... 8,256 Houses Damaged and 22,000 Hectares of Farmland Flooded

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As record-breaking heavy rains continue, 22 people have died and 4 are missing in North Korea. A total of 8,256 houses were damaged or flooded, and 22,000 hectares (1ha = 10,000㎡) of farmland were also affected.

On the 13th (local time), according to the Voice of America (VOA), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) stated via email, "According to the Korean Red Cross Society and the National Emergency Disaster Committee of North Korea, 22 people have died and 4 are missing due to flooding within North Korea."

Property damage also followed. The IFRC added, "8,256 houses were damaged or flooded, and 22,000 hectares of farmland were destroyed." The IFRC has provided support mainly in North Hwanghae Province and Kangwon Province, where the damage was severe, supplying family tents, security devices, kitchen sets, hygiene kits, and water purification tablets to over 2,800 households and residents.

United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), also reported in an email to VOA that they have received official requests to support the North Korean government. All UN agencies have already prepared lists of donated goods and supplies to provide to North Korea and are awaiting the North Korean government's final response regarding the assistance.

The European Union (EU) has also completed preparations for support. The EU stated to VOA, "The Emergency Response Coordination Centre closely monitors natural disaster situations worldwide every day. We are naturally watching the situation in North Korea and are ready to assist if North Korea requests help."

Meanwhile, the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) under the European Commission projected that 5.4 million North Korean residents will be affected by the ongoing record-level rainfall.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.