DPR Korea: Special Focus of East Asia Appeal No. MAA54001 Report 2006-2007
This report covers the period of 1 January to 31 December 2006 of a two-year planning and
implementation process.

In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to
disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its
Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human
suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.

In brief

Programme Summary:

The measures introduced by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) government to reinforce
its demand for closure of all "humanitarian aid" assistance at the end of 2005 imposed significant
operational constraints on the programmes originally planned by the DPRK Red Cross and Federation.
All programmes were reviewed and the working methodologies and budgets adjusted, with more
responsibilities delegated to the DPRK Red Cross. The Federation delegation was restructured to have
fewer international delegates, more local professional staff and an increased active involvement of
technical expertise from Red Cross partners.

Within this changing context, the DPRK Red Cross and Federation succeeded in implementing an
extensive, although slightly adjusted, programme of assistance to some of the most vulnerable
communities in DPRK in 2006. The major parts were the distribution of basic medical supplies and
equipment for primary health institutions, rehabilitation of water and sanitation systems in
communities and improved disaster management at national and local levels. The status and legal
position of the national society was strengthened by the adoption of a new Red Cross law in early
2007, for which extensive preparations had been carried out in 2006. The budget for 2006 was fully
covered thanks to the continuing support of numerous donors, and spending approached 100 percent.

Needs: Total 2006-2007 budget CHF 28.7 million (USD 23.5 million or EUR 17.4 million), out of which
56.6 percent is covered. Click here to go directly to the attached financial report.


Financial analysis for DPRK component only


Health & care
CHF
Disaster
management

CHF
Organizational
Development

CHF
Coordination &
implementation

CHF
Total/Overall
CHF

Budget 2006-2007 22,294,113 3,018,491 703,945 380,796 26,397,345
Appeal coverage 2006-2007 46.01 % 31.79 % 19.96 % 64.71 % 43.96 %
Budget 2006 only 11,949,683 1,811,957 333,013 326,251 14,420,904
Expenditure for 2006 only 9,906,975 560,809 157,999 241,990 10,867,773
Expenditure against budget 2006 only 82.91 % 30.95 % 47.44 % 74.17 % 75.36 %

No. of people we help: The programmes supported by the Federation and DPRK Red Cross serve a target
population of 8.76 million people in five out of the 12 provinces in the DPRK. Children 0-14 years of
age comprise 26.5 percent of the total population and the ratio of male – female is 50.5 to 49.5 per
hundred. Much data is confidential in the DPRK and therefore the actual number of beneficiaries
assisted by all the programmes is often difficult to calculate. However according to available
information, the health institutions received more than 20 million patient visits during the course
of 2006.

Our Partners: The DPRK Red Cross and Federation worked in close contact with over 20 government
agencies and community and national level entities and Red Cross Movement partners, as well as all
the main UN and other international organizations present in DPRK.

Current context

Social, economic and political isolation continued to be the main factors influencing the living
standards of the general population in the DPRK. These conditions, along with irregular and
insufficient energy supplies, thwarted a substantial improvement in the health of the population, and
thus the programmes of the Federation and other agencies continued to play a significant role in the
care for vulnerable people.

As of January 2006, the DPRK government enforced directives to halt humanitarian aid and requested
aid agencies to focus on development. Ongoing Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission
(ECHO)-funded non-governmental organizations' (NGO's) projects were taken over by the newly-
established European Support Unit and it took all aid agencies a number of months to get fully
operational again under the new conditions. These measures also seriously affected the operational
structure of the Federation delegation in Pyongyang. From the beginning of 2006, permanent
international delegates were reduced to three managerial posts and two technical delegate posts
(health and water/sanitation) were permitted only on a temporary basis (i.e. having to leave the
country and renew their visas). Consequently, additional sector-specific programme officers were
recruited from the DPRK Red Cross and all programmes, in particular the health and water/sanitation
activities, were adjusted accordingly. The programme implementation was further supported by an
increased direct involvement of Red Cross partners by providing short- term technical expertise in
the areas of health, water and sanitation, organizational development (OD), IT and disaster
management (DM).

Notable external events also influenced the operational environment. The government's underground
nuclear test in early October stirred worldwide condemnation and stern discussions in the UN Security
Council. Consequently, the council unanimously adopted resolution 1718 which blocks a range of goods
from entering or leaving the DPRK and includes the freezing of DPRK assets.

On 18 October, 2006, the DPRK Red Cross Society celebrated its 60th anniversary. A "Commemoration
Reporting Session" was held in the Grand People's Study House with the participation of more than
700
Red Cross members and volunteers as well as international representatives of the Federation and the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The vice-president of the Standing Committee of the
Supreme People's Assembly and the chairman of the DPRK Red Cross reviewed the achievements of the
national society over the past 60 years and paid tribute to the founder of the DPRK Red Cross
Society. The national media reported the event extensively.

For further information please contact:

The DPRK Red Cross Society: Min Byong Gwan (secretary general); phone: +85.02.381.4350, fax:
+85.02.381.3490

Federation DPRK country delegation: Mr. Jaap Timmer (head of delegation); jaap.timmer@ifrc.org;
phone: +85.02.3814350, fax: +85.02.3813490

Federation regional delegation in China: Mr. Alistair Henley (head of East Asia regional delegation);
alistair.henley@ifrc.org; phone: +86.10.65327162, fax: +86.10.65327166.

Federation secretariat in Geneva: Ms. Ewa Eriksson (regional officer, Asia Pacific department);
email:ewa.eriksson@ifrc.org; phone: +41227304252; fax: +41.22.7330395

To support or find out more about the Federation's programmes or operations, click on www.ifrc.org