Floods Ravage North Korea

Since 1996, Mercy Corps has helped North Korean families in times of hunger and disaster, as well as collaborating with counterparts on agricultural and economic development programs. Photo: Mercy Corps

Unyielding rain that began in early August has buried large areas of North Korea, killing dozens, destroying more than 30,000 houses and affecting almost one million people.

After discussing the country's most urgent needs with North Korean representatives, Mercy Corps is providing more than $27 million in medicine and clothing to aid affected families. On Sept. 1, Mercy Corps sent more than $13 million in pharmaceuticals due to the generous support of OFDA and a group of Canadians. DHL has partnered with Mercy Corps to speed these supplies to families. Later this month Mercy Corps will send an additional $14.3 million in aid to North Korea thanks in part to Nike.

In addition, USAID announced on August 16 that it is giving Mercy Corps and another humanitarian agency each $50,000 to provide blankets, shelter materials, water containers and other supplies. "These two NGOs have responded to previous humanitarian emergencies in the DPRK and elsewhere in the world, and we are confident that they will ensure this assistance reaches those most affected by the floods," says USAID.

Mercy Corps has worked with vulnerable North Korean families and communities since 1996, striving to help meet health and nutritional needs as well as collaborating on long-term agricultural and economic solutions. The organization's co-founder, Ells Culver, reached out to the North Korean people after the country suffered years of drought, flooding and food shortages. That diplomacy has led to an extraordinary partnership that includes farmer exchanges between North Korea and the United States' Pacific Northwest. Over the course of more than 20 visits to North Korea, Culver repeatedly demonstrated his belief that caring assistance would lead to positive change.

"Over the last decade, Mercy Corps has developed a relationship of trust and respect with the North Korean people," said Mercy Corps President Nancy Lindborg. "At this critical time, we want to reach out to families who are suffering huge losses as a result of flooding."

Torrential rain that began on August 7 has continued unabated, destroying hundreds of public buildings, washing out more than 500 bridges and ruining numerous railway lines. There are also reports of widespread power and telecommunications outages.

The flooding has also jeopardized North Korea's already-fragile agricultural capacity, reportedly inundating or washing away at least 11 percent of farmland and spoiling up to 25 percent of current rice and corn crops. This massive loss is sparking fears of widespread food shortages.

Mercy Corps has long been at the forefront of efforts to bring reconciliation and mutual understanding to the sometimes-contentious relationship between North Korea and the United States. Through the East Asia Advisory Committee and National Committee for North Korea, Mercy Corps has demonstrated leadership by bringing together various stakeholders to discuss ideas for collaboration.