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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date: 29 Apr 2004
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Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2004/0067
OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Explosion in Ryongchon
County
29 April 2004
This report is based on the information provided by the UN
Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator's office in Pyongyang, as
well as media reports.
Situation
1. WHO and IFRC visited Sinuiju and Ryongchon on 27 April. WHO
visited hospitals where the injured are treated. 370 injured
remain in four hospitals in Sinuiju, about two-third being
children. Four deaths occurred in the hospitals during the
period of 26 and 27 April. The majority are injuries in the
face and head, with cuts from glass, bruises and burns.
Approximately 90 patients have eye injuries. Multiple injuries
with fractures, open and closed head injuries and internal
injuries were also commonly seen. After seeing 150-200 of the
injured, WHO estimated that 15% remain in critical condition.
About 25% have smaller injuries and could be discharged within
the coming week.
2. According to WHO, given the difficult circumstances, the
medical treatment being provided is at a reasonable level.
Medicines and medical supplies, including intravenous fluids,
antibiotics, analgesics, provided by the Ministry of Public
Health and international agencies were available in all the
hospitals.
3. The county hospital, about 1.5-2 km from the explosion site,
had all its windows broken, and has not been functioning since
the explosion. The hospital opened for out-patients yesterday.
One polyclinic was totally destroyed by the explosion and the
Hygiene and Anti-epidemic station and medical warehouse was
partially damaged.
4. Some patients have shown up with respiratory symptoms,
although so far none with sever ones. Whilst it is too early to
determine the cause of the symptoms, it is possible that they
may be caused by the spillage or dispersion of raw ammonium
nitrate in the explosion. It is important systematically to
register this as part of the strengthening of disease
surveillance after the disaster, in particular because of the
possible toxic impact of ammonium nitrate from the explosion.
This was discussed with Vice-Director of the hospital and
Director of Health Services in Ryongchon county. This will also
be discussed with the Ministry of Public Health in Pyongyang.
5. In Ryongchon, temporary shelters with tents have now been
established. Many people are still on the move within the town
with their belongings. Work has also started to repair houses.
National and International Response
6. Health Sector. International agencies, including WHO,
UNICEF, WFP, IFRC and Caritas International (through Caritas-
Hong Kong) provided medical assistance and food to the
hospitals.
7. A WHO is the lead agency in the health sector. WHO has
recommended that special attention should be given to the
coordination between agencies regarding medical supplies and
equipment. A list of medical supplies and equipment already
delivered to the disaster site and en route to DPRK is
available from WHO through the OCHA Office in Pyongyang.
8. WHO team will be deployed to Sinuiju for up to five days.
The objectives of the team are to strengthen disease
surveillance in Ryongchon and to provide technical advice to
the doctors in Sinuiju.
9. Blood transfusion materials and intravenous fluids have been
sourced from ongoing projects by WHO and the NGO Premiere
Urgence respectively. Both these projects are funded by ECHO.
10. There remains a shortage of certain medical supplies and
medicines such as different eye preparations, topical creams
and sterile vaseline compresses for burns and broad specter
antibiotics for the treatment of the injured.
11. The large number of eye injuries represents a technical
challenge. Additional eye preparations have now been ordered by
WHO. A slit-lamp and some other equipment are also needed for
patients with eye injuries. WHO will renew its offer of
technical assistance in treating eye injuries.
12. Given the damage sustained by the county health facilities,
WHO has recommended restoring normal health services in
Ryongchon as soon as possible. Particular emphasis needs to be
given to the reconstruction of the polyclinic and
rehabilitation of the county hospital and warehouse.
13. In addition, WHO has reported that many of the injured will
require long-term rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery. A
certain number of injured will most likely end up with
permanent disabilities and support for rehabilitation will be
required. This means that support for the health services will
also be required beyond the immediate relief phase of the
response.
14. WHO has identified that the Ryongchon Hygiene and Anti-
Epidemic Station, which was badly damaged in the explosion,
will require international support if it is to effectively
monitor the situation. The Anti-Epidemic Station, which is part
of the Ministry of Public Health, is responsible for disease
surveillance at the county level.
15. Relief Items & Shelter. The IFRC and the National Red Cross
continue to respond to the relief needs of the homeless, as
well as supporting the Ministry of Public Health. Senior
leadership of the National Red Cross is currently on an
assessment mission in Ryongchon. Technical assessments in the
health and water and sanitation sectors are currently conducted
in Ryongchon jointly by IFRC and National Red Cross teams.
16. The DPRK Red Cross is coordinating the distribution of
relief items in Ryongchon as well as preparing for the arrival
of medical and relief supplies from the Republic of Koera in
Nampo today. WFP is logistically supporting the shipment of
these items to Ryongchon and Sinuiju.
17. An initial supply of relief items has either been delivered
to Ryongchon or is en route. The following items were delivered
to Ryongchon:
Tents x 385 (capacity of 4,950 people)
23,000 blankets
2,500 kitchen sets (one per family)
2,000 tarpaulins
18. Relief items (excluding medical supplies and equipment)
delivered to Ryongchon have been channeled through IFRC, China,
Russia and World Vision International.
19. UNDP is currently leading a mission to assess emergency
needs for shelter rehabilitation, as well as other non-sector
specific rehabilitation needs.
20. Education. The Ryongchon Primary school, in which 63
students and 2 teachers were killed in the explosion, has now
reopened in a temporary accommodation. Alternative arrangements
have also been found for the kindergarten and nursery, which
were damaged in the explosion.
21. The large number of children among the victims of this
disaster suggests the need for follow-up with counseling and
community outreach programmes. A key part of this is the
resumption of education and other child services. UNICEF is
working with the Ministry of Education to ensure that education
services are resumed as soon as possible. The rehabilitation of
the school is critical in this regard. In addition to the
provision of physical infrastructure and school equipment, WHO
has recommended that psychosocial support for the children, and
the community as a whole, is provided.
22. Food. In addition to the assistance already provided
immediately following the disaster, WFP has formulated a
response amounting to US$508,000 for 7,760 persons for 6 months
(homeless plus hospital patients). WFP's response will be part
of the current EMOP, which remains severely under-funded. WFP
needs resources to continue to feed 6.5 million persons in the
second half of 2004 in addition to victims of the explosion.
23. UNICEF delivered 500 kg of therapeutic milk (F100) to
Sinuiju hospital for patients who have difficulty eating solid
food. The milk has been shifted from an ongoing programme
funded by ECHO.
24. Coordination. The WFP Sub-Office is being used as an
operating base for coordinating the international response in
Sinuiju and Ryongchon. WFP have international staff in Sinuiju
to support coordination and provide support to relief
operations. An OCHA National Officer is currently based in the
WFP Sub-Office in Sinuiju tracking the arrival of international
assistance and its distribution to relevant government
agencies. OCHA continues to assist the Humanitarian Coordinator
in coordinating the response to the disaster with the support
of the Government's Flood Disaster Rehabilitation Committee
(FDRC).
Governments
25. The Government of France has provided EUR 50,000
(approximately US$ 60,000) for emergency assistance to the
victims of the train blast channeled through the NGO Première
Urgence.
26. At the request of the DPRK Government, the Republic of
Korea will provide US$ 25 million worth of materials (including
transportation costs) within the next two weeks. These will
include:
40,000 sq. m of steel plates for roofs;
50,000 MTs of cement;
10,000 MTs of food;
10 bulldozers;
500 MTs of diesel fuel;
500 MTs of gasoline;
School supplies.
27. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash
contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in
coordination with relevant organizations in the United Nations
system. For banking details please contact the desk officers
indicated below. OCHA provides donor governments with written
confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization
of the funds contributed.
28. Donors or agencies that have sent relief items to Ryongchon
are requested to notify the OCHA Office in Pyongyang to improve
complementarity of assistance and tracking of aid flows.
29. OCHA is in contact with its Office in Pyongyang, and will
revert with further information, as it becomes available.
30. This situation report, together with further information on
ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet
Website at http://www.reliefweb.int
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