Crisis overview
Major flooding in northeastern DPRK, primarily in North Hamgyong province, has affected 600,000 people, left 140,000 in urgent need of assistance, and displaced 107,000. 395 people are missing, and 133 have died. Considerable damage to vital health, water, and transport infrastructure leaves much of the affected population without shelter and vulnerable to waterborne diseases and food insecurity.
Key findings
Anticipated scope and scale
Lack of access means that the damage is greater than the current figures estimate. Estimated damage has already risen sharply.
The humanitarian situation (WASH, food security and shelter) may worsen if access is constrained further, and prevents a timely response.
Priorities for humanitarian intervention
Shelter for the 107,000 displaced, particularly as sub-zero nightly temperatures will begin in late October.
WASH: Safe drinking water, rehabilitation of infrastructure, dissemination of safe hygiene practice information.
Health: Treatment for waterborne diseases, rehabilitate health delivery capacity, immediate care for the displaced.
Humanitarian constraints
Damage to roads and bridges has rendered the most affected areas completely inaccessible.
Humanitarian activities are also likely to be restricted for political reasons, although flood response has been relatively unconstrained in the past.