Russian Embassy in N.Korea officials visits flood-struck regions

Russian Embassy in N.Korea officials visits flood-struck regions

Embassy says trip is aimed at "defining" what aid will be sent from Moscow

JH Ahn 

October 21st, 2016

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Top officials from the Russian Embassy in North Korea, including the Ambassador, have visited the country’s flood-stricken regions in the north, the embassy reported on its official website.

The trip to Musan County and Hoeryong City lasted from October 18 to 21, the embassy said, and was intended to lay out the future aid that is to arrive from Moscow.

“As a result (of the flood), 15,722 households are partially or completely damaged, approximately 40,000 citizens are left homeless, and 450 people are dead or missing,” the embassy said on Friday. “We sincerely wish our Korean friends a speedy recovery from the devastating aftermath of the 2016 flooding.”

The Ambassador and Consul General of Russia were greeted by the vice-chairman of the People’s Committee in Musan, it said, adding that dozens of North Korean public buildings, including schools and kindergartens, were destroyed and some 30,000 hectares of crops had been lost.

“We overlooked intermountain areas and river valleys disfigured by water currents and covered up with stones and ooze,” it said. “We peeped into impoverished barracks and dugouts and met its dwellers. Though they have lost everything and have barely managed to stay alive, they appear optimistic.”

Scenes inside the temporary flood shelters in North Korea. | Image: Russian Embassy to the DPRK

The embassy uploaded over 20 photos taken in the flood-struck regions, some showing temporary shelters made with a layer of plastic on the outside and held up by wooden pillars and frames from the inside.

Compared to the housing, most of the items inside look brand new, including giant pots to steam rice or to boil soup, plastic buckets, stainless pots and rechargeable batteries, all provided by the North Korean government, the embassy said.

“200,000 volunteers, hundreds of vehicles, a whole amount of cement and steel produced by DPRK plants, sets of clothes, utensils and food packed by each and every Korean family across the country – everything is tailored to the needs of North Hamgyong,” it said.

Construction site of new housing for the flood victims. | Image: Russian Embassy to the DPRK

The embassy briefly mentioned the foreign help being provided, too, saying it is “impossible to ignore international aid.”

“A number of UN organizations render substantial assistance. Certain countries have expressed their willingness to offer help as well.”

The embassy also forecasted the aid that will be arriving in the region from Moscow.

“Our trip was also aimed at defining the list of Russian humanitarian aid items and the ways to deliver them,” it said.

Edited by: Oliver Hotham

Featured Image: Russian Embassy in North Korea

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JH Ahn

JH Ahn is an NK News correspondent based in Seoul. He previously worked as an interpreter for United States Forces Korea.

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