Source: IFRC
Date: 19 May 2004
Efforts are continuing to clear the rubble and begin the
reconstruction of buildings in Ryongchon, in the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), where a massive train
explosion on 22 April left at least 161 people dead, 2,000
injured and thousands more homeless. After providing emergency
relief to victims, the DPRK Red Cross and International
Federation are turning their attention to the needs of the
1,850 families whose homes and personal belongings were
destroyed. They will require assistance over several months in
the form of clothing, fuel for cooking, hygiene articles and
other daily necessities. Access to safe drinking water remains
a major concern, since the blast destroyed a water system
serving half of Ryongchon's population of 27,000 people. With
450 families still living in temporary shelters and large
numbers of construction workers arriving, the Federation is
deploying a water station that can provide clean water to at
least 2,000 people a day and which will operate until the
municipal water supply is restored. The DPRK Red Cross and
Federation will take the lead role in reinstating the supply.
In addition, the DPRK Red Cross and Federation are rebuilding
a health clinic, which would serve as a diagnostic and
physical therapy centre, as well as housing the local Red
Cross branch offices. On 26 April, the Federation launched an
appeal for 1.6 million Swiss francs (1.2 million US$) to
support the DPRK Red Cross relief operation.
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