New pledges are required for the coming 6 months of about 143,000 MT, of the following commodities:
The HDRC website is a web-portal aiming to provide an online platform for information exchange for all humanitarian and development actors in DPR Korea. Some of the resources on the website include:
OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED IN 2003:
Improved Access to Water for over 46,000 Koreans
In Kangwon Province, CESVI, with the support of the EU- (ECHO) European Community Humanitarian Office and SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency), provided running water to over 46,000 people in 2003. Major project outputs include:
Improved Living Conditions
In late 2002 and early 2003, CESVI implemented a winterisation programme funded by EU - ECHO. The project sought to improve living conditions in selected nurseries in Kangwon province with the aim of reducing childhood morbidity. Major project outputs include:
Improving Access to Water for over 42,600 Koreans
In Kangwon Province, CESVI, with the support of the EU- (ECHO) European Community Humanitarian Office, will provide running water to over 11,600 people in 2004. Planned major project outputs include: the provision of equipment and training to the local anti epidemic station; improved awareness of hygiene practices; and improved sanitation facilities in public institutions (schools, nurseries and kindergarten).
The water and sanitation programme in South Hwanghae and South Pyongan Province, which is funded by EU/AIDCO, will enter its operational phase in 2004. The project aims to provide access to safe water for at least 4,000 families in 2004 through the exploitation of new water sources and the rehabilitation of old water supply systems. The capacity building of the technicians from the Ministry of City Management will also continue thanks to a second training phase and the follow up of their work.
In 2004, CESVI will also continue the second phase of the water and sanitation programme funded by SIDA. The project will provide access to safe water for 15,000 people through the rehabilitation of the water supply system of the second half of Chonnae town.
Improving Water and Sanitation in Wonsan Provincial Hospital
In partnership with EU/ECHO, CESVI will support the re-connection of Wonsan Provincial Hospital to the water supply system, as well as improving overall sanitation facilities in the hospital. The hospital services 70,000 inhabitants in the city of Wonsan, and is a reference hospital for over a million people in Kangwon Province.
Improved Living Conditions for Vulnerable Children
CESVI, with the support of the OCHA NGO Funding Mechanism, will undertake emergency infrastructure improvements to ten vulnerable nurseries in Kangwon Province. This project aims to improve the living conditions of 1,100 children; aged 0-4.
Improved Agricultural Production
In 2004 two development agricultural projects funded by the Italian Government and IFAD will enter their operational phase. A total of 10 cooperative farms will benefit of improved single and double cropping, experimental field areas for research purposes, intense training programme. Good cooperation with the ministry of Agriculture and the Academy for Agricultural Science has been established. In the long term the agricultural programme aims at improving the food security situation of 21.200 people in Kangwon and North Hwanghae Provinces.
HEALTH AND NUTRITION
WHO: SITUATION OF ESSENTIAL MEDICINES IN DPRK
In January 2004 the WHO Regional Advisor for Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy, Dr. Kris Weerasuriya, visited the DPRK to review the medicine sector. His main conclusions on the situation were:
Currently, most external stake-holders - such as the UN and other international organizations, and NGOs - have endorsed the EMC and implemented it by providing medicines from the agreed upon list. However, for the internal stake-holders, such as the Ministry of Public Health and pharmaceutical factories in the country, more efforts are needed to promote the Essential Medicines Concept. The external stake-holders have a vital role in convincing the Ministry of Public Health, and other internal stake-holders, of the validity of the EMC and its implication.
The Essential Medicines Concept can serve as the spring-board for other activities such as rational use of drugs, quality and procurement. The recent publication of the updated manual of essential medicines in Korean language is a good example of promotion of rational drug use. The manual is based on the text of the WHO Model Formulary and is printed in 30,000 copies with support of WHO, UNICEF and IFRC. The manual includes detailed information on how to use (indications, contraindication, dosage, adverse effects) of all the 84 essential medicines, which are suggested to be provided by international organizations in DPRK. The manual also includes standard treatment regiment for the most common diseases. The provision of essential medicines, along with information on rational drug use, is a synergistic activity.
The medicine situation in DPRK adds another dimension to the ancient saying of Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him forever.' The question of what must be done for the hunger while the man is learning to fish needs to be answered too. DPRK therefore, needs immediate assistance not only in resources but also in advocacy and promotion of the EMC in the medium term, and facilities and resources to realize long term objectives in the manufacture of essential medicines.
To learn more about WHO and Essential Medicines please visit: http://www.who.int/medicines/
UNICEF - Essential Medicines Update
In January, Ri Clinic/Hospital kits and Provincial/County hospital kits were delivered to the cities of Pyongyang, Nampo and Kaesong, as well as to the South Hwanghae province. More kits are being prepared for distribution next month.
Raw materials deliveries of Paracetamol and Aspirin were received from WHO in the Pyongyang Pharmaceutical Factory. Future requirements for raw materials for essential medicines will be coordinated between DIAKONIE, WHO and UNFPA.
The first pharmaceutical joint-venture between the government and a Swiss company continues to develop. The company is currently building a new production unit, with two tablet machines already installed. Work is ongoing, and will most likely be completed by April.
Last year, WHO, IFRC and UNICEF reviewed and upgraded the essential medicine manual; guided by the most recent WHO formulary. WHO and the Ministry of Public Health translated the manual. The cost of printing 30,000 copies was shared between WHO, IFRC and UNICEF. Distribution of the manual has already commenced and is scheduled to finish by April.
Government - UNICEF Cooperation
The Country Programme Document and Master Plan of Operations for UNICEF-Government Cooperation was signed in January. UNICEF has since been working with the Government to finalize the Project Plans of Action for 2004.
UNICEF - Promoting Safe Motherhood
In January, UNICEF hosted the third meeting of the Safe Motherhood Working Group which agreed to harmonize inputs from all agencies. The Safe Motherhood Working Group is not exclusive and welcomes all agencies with an interest in maternal health to join the meetings.
Integrated Management of Childhood Illness
The first IMCI Working Group was held on 20 January at the Pyongyang University Paediatric Hospital. The purpose of the working group is to review the IMCI management structure in DPRK in light of experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia. The IMCI working group will meet every other month. The next meeting is Friday 19 March 2004.
Preparation of UNICEF Executive Director Visit in March
The UNICEF Pyongyang office has been busy preparing for the visit of its Executive Director, Carol Bellamy, which in March 2004. The last time that the Executive Director visited DPRK was in 1997AmeriCares Continues to Provide Essential Medicines
AmeriCares staff will visit DPRK during the week of February 23rd to partially distribute of a shipment of medicines and medical supplies that were scheduled to arrive in DPRK on 24 January. The medicines and supplies will be divided up between the Pyongyang Medical University Hospital, and the Provincial Pediatric Hospitals, Children's and Baby Homes in North Hwanghae and South Pyongan Provinces. AmeriCares is also providing Korean PDR descriptions for most of the medicines, as well as Korean descriptions of some of the medical supplies.
IFRC - Health Care Activities
In January, IFRC continued with the monitoring of the distribution of basic medicine kits, household doctor kits, safe delivery kits and First Aid post refill kits. Monitoring of the medicines already distributed in assisted institutions is ongoing.
IFRC and DPRK Red Cross National Society health departments are preparing for a number of workshops, which are scheduled for spring, by revising training materials and curriculums. The Red Cross will conduct a number of workshops in the 2nd quarter, including: eight waterborne diseases workshops in April; ten aseptic workshops for nurses and midwives; malaria workshops in North and South Pyongan Provinces on the use and maintenance of impregnated bed nets for nurses, CHWs and RC volunteers; Community Based First Aid (CBFA) program two workshops for 50 trainers will take place in Anju in February - March. Detailed training of First Aid volunteers is scheduled for later in summer.
WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION
IFRC Update. In early January, pipes, connections and other material for water distribution systems were delivered to most of the 30 villages in the ECHO and Netherlands Red Cross financed program in North and South Pyongan provinces. Monitoring of the cement and steel bars delivered in the end of last year has also started in North Pyongan Province.
A tendering process has started for material for additional latrines for households and institutions, and also for additional connected households, for the Swedish Red Cross funded programme for ten villages, which commenced in 2003.
IFRC - DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The DPRK Red Cross Society and the IFRC hosted the Disaster Management Working Group meeting on 20 January 2004. The aim of the meeting was to share information about Disaster Management activities and to discuss issues of common concern. The meeting was attended by representatives from FDRC, the Ministry of land and environment protection, as well as ECHO, OCHA, UNICEF and Concern Worldwide. The meeting focused on the review of the Disaster Management programme in 2003, Community Based Disaster Preparedness project, improved co-ordination, and the Red Cross Disaster Management work plan for 2004.
Emergency nutritional support for children in the DPRK - €5 million
ECHO Brussels (9 January 2004): Malnutrition has become a persistent problem in the DPRK. Children are the first victims of food shortages and a recent UNICEF/WFP assessment revealed particularly worrying levels of malnutrition, which could lead to high mortality rates among the under fives. Poor access to water and sanitation, and to healthcare, further compound health problems and place children at even greater risk. With the onset of winter, conditions are likely to deteriorate and it is estimated that 3.5 million children will not receive adequate food rations from January unless new donations are immediately confirmed.
This ECHO decision will provide emergency nutritional assistance in order to save and preserve the lives of severely malnourished children in nine provinces.
Italian Government gives € 750,000 to the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Humanitarian Assistance
During the official visit from 9 to 12 December 2003, the Delegation of the European Commission to the DPRK, Dr. Guido Martini, the Head of the Delegation, presented a new donation of € 750,000 for the Bilateral Emergency Operation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPR Korea. According to the Development Cooperation Office; 'the Italian Government and People made this donation to the Government and People of the DPR Korea,' in the spirit of humanitarianism. The Italian Development Cooperation Office is currently in contact with the relevant central and local authorities to identify needs, and the most effective means of addressing them, through this bilateral donation.
The CAP (Consolidated Appeals Process) - What is it?
The Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) is a mechanism used by aid organizations to plan, implement and monitor their activities. Working together in the world's crisis regions, they produce a Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) and an appeal, which they present to the international community and donors.
As a planning mechanism in the DPRK, the CAP has contributed significantly to developing a more strategic approach to the provision of humanitarian aid. As a coordination mechanism in the DPRK, the CAP has fostered closer cooperation between governments, donors, aid agencies, and a range of other humanitarian organizations.
Since the first DPRK CAP in 1995, the CAP has become the humanitarian sector's main tool for coordination, strategic planning and programming. Speaking with a common voice, agencies have been able to seek improved access to vulnerable populations, as well as working more effectively with the DPRK government and other actors.
To view the 2004 CAP for the DPRK click on the following link: http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/DPRK/infocentre/appealsdonors/index.asp
ADRA
BIOGAS - VIABLE ENERGY SOURCE IN DPRK
ADRA News Release - 16 January 2004
Pyongyang, DPRK -- A 5m3 biogas fermenter plant that uses a natural heating method to sustain its operation thought winter has been installed and tested in Suk Chon County, South Pyongan Province in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) have worked in collaboration with the Thermal Institute, a member of the State Academy of Science in developing a biogas digester that can be used throughout the year. A Biogas feasibility study was funded by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).
The newly installed biogas plant utilises anaerobic processes for the fermentation process and aerobic processes to naturally heat and insulate the biogas fermenter. Insulation was built around the biogas fermenter using natural rice shell ash to increase efficiency. A greenhouse was also built above the biogas fermenter to provide additional insulation and also allows the family to extend the growing seasons of food within the greenhouse or keep animals warm during the winter months.
Cooperative farms in DPRK have been using biogas as a source of energy since the late 1970s. During this time the Koreans built about 40 large biogas plants ranging in size from 500 to 1,000m3, using animal waste and rice straw for fuel. Biogas production is a widely used process for energy production around the world. Biogas is a biological process which aims to utilise the cycles in nature that produce energy. The production of gas often ceases in winter as the temperature in the digester falls below 15c (59F), the minimum temperature for the efficient production of biogas.
The greatest obstacle to wide spread biogas use thought DPRK is the harsh winter. Currently most of the fermenter tanks are not insulated and above ground considerable amount of heat in winter. Only a few of the older digesters are still in operation and all of those (except one) only in summer. Since June 2002, ADRA has been working with the Thermal Institute to find a solution to this problem so that energy can be produced throughout the year. "The winter in DPRK is a time when energy is need the most for heating when temperatures in the region can reach -20c (-4F)".
Mr. Wellinger of Nova Enerige, who conducted a feasibility study, said "Biogas production is an excellent means to provide rural areas with energy in DPRK, while at the same time providing improved quality of manure for fertilizer".
Mr Wellinger also conducted a workshop for resident international agencies and outlined to following benefits that can be obtained though biogas production:
Additional information about ADRA DPRK can be obtained from the Country Director, Mr. Marcel Wagner at dprk@adraasia.org,
Source: Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Date: 16 Jan 2004
USD 100,000 DONATION FROM THE SPIRITUAL AWAKENING MISSION
A United States based non-profit organization composed of Korean residents, provided US$100,000 worth of aid to DPR Korea during a visit to Pyongyang late last year, the group, known as Spiritual Awakening Mission (SAM), said. The aid, delivered by two SAM officials, included powdered milk, instant noodles and medicines.
Source: Korean Information Service (ROK)Date: 05 Jan 2004
FOOD AID - WFP OPERATIONAL REVIEW
Attendance Rates in Child Institutions Falls During Winter
The attendance rate in many child institutions has dropped due to the cold weather, the lack of heating in many premises, and reduced WFP assistance; as there is no cereal available for distribution in these institutions.
The Institutions have tried to solve the problem through different means. These include; reducing the number of meals, discontinuation of snacks, and requesting the children to bring food with them from home. In some counties, a portion of the PDC ration meant for the family is now being sent directly to the institution where the family's children are during the day.
Temporary Closure of WFP Sub-Offices
WFP Sub-Office in Hyesan, Ryanggang Province was temporarily closed in January due to the winter conditions but the WFP team plans to return in early February to resume monitoring activities.
Update on Agricultural Activities
During January, farmers focused activities on the preparation of organic manure and its transportation to the fields. Organic manure is seen as a critical component in some counties in their efforts to increase cereal production, with many counties aiming to produce 20-30 MT/ha of organic manure. Under-employed workers have been mobilised for this task, as well as all urban and co-operative households. In some counties it is reported that the households are obliged to produce manure for free, but in other counties, the farms buy the manure for a small amount of money.
Chagang, South and North Pyongan provinces are all reporting that this year's warmer winter, with much less snow than normal, might have a negative impact on the coming agricultural season for two reasons. Firstly, the soil has less moisture, and secondly, more pests survive in the ground. This may mean that more pesticides may be required in the spring.
PDC Ration Remains at 300 grams per day
The PDC ration in January remained at 300 gm/person/day with different compositions depending on the county. It has been reported that the PDC ration will remain at this level until April, when it will be reduced to 250g for May to July.
Discussions have been held with local authorities to better understand the system of transferring food between counties and provinces. Some counties have reveiled that they pay for the grain transferred the same price as the product is sold for at the PDC.
It is however the recipient county that is responsible for the transportation cost of 4won/kg (approx 23 US$/MT).
Food for Work
100 project proposals for the spring season were received from FDRC, 70 for the East Coast and 30 for the West. Given the current resource limitation and donor preference, only 7,000 MT cereals are allocated to FFW and designated to projects on the East Coast. The FFW Unit has selected and scrutinised 54 projects, all on the East Coast, for field assessment, beginning 2nd week of February.
Selection priority is given to those urban projects where participants benefit directly through infrastructure improvement in their own community.
The 2003 autumn season's second 50% instalment on the West Coast, of 5,208 MT cereal has been delayed. It is expected to be distributed with the arrival of the Russian donated wheat around April-May.
Two batches of Non-Food-Items (NFI) procure-ments arrived in January with a total of 24,000 shovels, 4,400 pickaxes, 4,000 back-buckets, and 500 stretchers, at a value of US$ 55,000. The goods were handed over to FDRC who will preposition two thirds of the NFI stock at the East Coast warehouses in order to be ready for the spring season.
FDRC has been asked to provide names of rice producing counties in need of plastic sheeting for paddy seedling cultivation. They have also been asked to identify a new location of 50 ha for Eco-engineering pilot projects on the East Coast.
WFP Local Food Production
The total output for January 2004 was about 3,100 MT, including 800MT of biscuits, 1,900MT of fortified blended foods, 30MT of RMB and 370MT of noodles. Production of biscuits resumed on 17 January after a break caused by the winter holidays in the primary schools and kindergartens. The CSM factory in Pyongyang was stopped for 2 weeks early in January because of broken bearings.
Due to the delayed arrival of sugar, caused by the Lunar New Year holidays, LFP factories borrowed sugar from the Government to resume biscuit production in Pyongyang, Hamhung and Chongjin factories.
As per WFP request, FDRC identified Huichon City in Chagang Province, as a possible location for future CMB production. A joint WFP/FDRC mission visited the site and agreed that it would be suitable for CMB production. The recently purchased wheat mill will be installed in Huichon on arrival and the CMB mixer, currently under procurement, will follow.
As part of interagency co-operation, WFP agreed to support an Ministry of Agriculture-FAO joint project with the aim of producing yoghurt from goat milk in Taejam and Pyongryul. 20 MT of DSM has been handed over to the project from the CMB (Cereal Milk Blend) factory in Pyongyang
WFP Commodity Arrivals in Janaury
100 MT of Soy Beans arrived by train. This was a joint contribution of Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands and Finland.
Further Australian support for the inter-agency consolidated appeal
In response to the United Nations Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeal for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Australian Government announced that it would be providing AUD$4 million in humanitarian assistance. In a news release, the Australian Government cited the following reasons for the assistance:
Without substantial food aid, about 6.5 million people, including 4 million children, are in danger of starvation in the DPRK this year. About 70,000 children are also suffering from acute malnutrition.
Malnutrition is being exacerbated by poor health, water, and sanitation services and the risk of a serious outbreak of disease is significant.
Australia will provide AUD$3 million for the purchase of approximately 6,000 tonnes of Australian wheat flour.
The wheat flour will be used in local factories to produce vital biscuits, cereal milk blend and noodles for targeted groups including children, pregnant and nursing mothers and the elderly. Australia is also contributing AUD$1 million towards UNICEF's Water and Environmental Sanitation Project.
This project will upgrade water supply and sanitation facilities for 3,500 children in 30 children's homes and 15 branch schools.
The UNICEF Project will also benefit 1 million people in the disadvantaged counties of Ryanggang, North Hamgyong, South Hamgyong and Kangwon provinces and 2 million people in 10 provincial cities. This project will also educate households about hygiene and establish centrally managed local water authority teams to help ensure the effective ongoing supervision of water supply and sanitation.
This contribution brings total Australian humanitarian assistance to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to AUD$43.5 million since the mid 1990s.
Source: Australian Agency for International DevelopmentDate: 20 Jan 2004
OCHA HDRC WEBSITE http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/dprk
HUMANITARIAN AID WORKS - assistance contributes dramatic reduction of malaria in 2003!
Vivax malaria re-emerged in the Korean peninsula during the 1990s. Change in agricultural practices with less use of pesticides and the way the rice fields are irrigated, as an adaptation to the energy problems, might have contributed to increased breeding of the vector. The number of malaria cases reached epidemic proportion in 2001 with 300,000 reported cases.
International organisations, spearheaded by WHO, have provided substantial technical and material support for malaria control during 2000-2003, amounting to about US$ 2.5 million. This has been possible due to generous contributions from South Korea, Sweden and Norway. Besides the technical assistance, introduction of impregnated bed nets, laboratory supplies for prompt diagnosis and anti-malarial drugs to ensure access to treatment, have been the key components of the support.
A reduction of 20% in the number of malaria cases was seen in 2002. But in 2003, the number of malaria cases is further dramatically reduced with a 72.3% decline compared to 2002. The number of cases reported in 2003 as of 10 September is 38,920 compared to 185,420 during the same period last year. This can, to a large extent, be contributed to the support provided to the malaria control programme, and is an example of how well-targeted humanitarian assistance was able to tackle important public health programmes in DPRK.
Source: Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) - Democratic People's Republic of Korea, 2004
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
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Masood HyderResident/Humanitarian CoordinatorPyongyangTel: +8502-3817-571Fax: +8502-3817-603E-Mail: masood.hyder@wfp.org
Brendan McDonaldHead of Office OCHA PyongyangTel: +8502-3817-490Fax: +8502-3817-491E-Mail: ocha.dprk@wfp.org
Electronic copies of this Bulletin (Adobe Acrobat PDF format) can be obtained by e-mailing ocha.dprk@wfp.org. Bulletins can also be obtained from www.humanitarianinfo.org/dprk
Contributions for the February 2004 Bulletin should be sent to OCHA no later than 6 March 2004.