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20Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date: 27 Apr 2004
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Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Explosion in Ryongchon County OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2004/0066
CORRIGENDUM
OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Explosion in Ryongchon County
27 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. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator, WFP Regional Director and WFP Country Director visited Ryongchon and Sinuiju on
Sunday, 25 April, for an assessment mission and to deliver food aid. In addition to meeting senior DPR Korea local
officials and visiting the blast site, the team was allowed for the first time to observe patients recovering in the
Sinuiju Provincial hospital.
2. The blast appeared to have destroyed nearly 2/3 of the city centre. The destruction of nearby primary school and its
dormitory meant that many of the victims where children. The death toll stood Tuesday, 27 April, at 161, and more than
1,300 people were injured
3. According to local officials at the hospital nearly 60% of 360 patients in the hospital are children. The hospital
director reported that 15 patients had died at the hospital. In many cases the injuries appeared to be very severe with
the majority appearing to be eye and facial related as a result of the blast. Other major categories of injuries included
broken bones and people with internal injuries.
Needs Assessments
4. According to the local authorities in Ryongchon, currently the most important needs of the affected people are
medicines, food, building materials and utensils.
5. Health and Nutrition. WHO is undertaking a detailed needs assessment in Sinuiju hospital today. Results of the
assessment will be shared on 27 or 28 April.
6. Water and Sanitation. IFRC will undertake an assessment mission on Wednesday, 28 April.
7. Assessments of other sectors are being coordinated at the sector level.
National and International Response
UN System and International NGO's
8. The response to the train blast in Ryongchon County will be coordinated through the existing Common Humanitarian Action
Plan. Apart from the immediate relief efforts, which are ongoing, emergency rehabilitation needs will be incorporated into
the Mid Year Review process of the CAP, which will be conducted earlier than planned (in early May).
9. WFP offered its sub-office in Sinuiju as a forward operating base for agencies responding to the disaster. WFP provided
the initial food stocks for all 1,800 households that were destroyed. Additionally, WFP provided food to all households
that lost people and to all households and patients in the hospital. Today WFP urgently appealed for 1,000 MTs of food to
feed survivors and supply a work-for-food programme to rebuild the devastated area.
10. WHO provided 2 Medical Kits and 15 Hospital Clinic Kits.
11. UNICEF delivered medicines to the Ryongchon Medical Warehouse on Saturday, 24 April. Items included antibiotics, IV
fluids and syringes. In addition, UNICEF provided a US$100,000 cash grant (US$50,000 for education and US$50,000 for water
and sanitation).
12. IFRC continued distribution of supplementary kits, blankets, kitchen sets, water containers, water purification
tablets and tarpaulins. IFRC launched an emergency appeal on Monday to raise US$ 1.21 million to buy food, clothing and
cooking fuel for up to 10,000 people for 12 months.
13. Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) transported 10 MTs of medical supplies from Pyongyang to Ryongchon.
14. Caritas International provided 16 boxes of essential medicines to arrive in Pyongyang on Tuesday, 27 April, and issued
an appeal for US$ 200,000 for relief and rehabilitation assistance.
15. Concern Worldwide pledged ? 50,000 (approximately US$60,000) for food relief and rebuilding activities in the area of
Ryongchon.
16. GAA (German Agro Action) provided 380 MTs of food (230 MTs of rice, 95 MTs of mung-beans and 55 MTs of cooking oil).
17. Premiere Urgence provided 900 units of IV fluid.
Governments
18. People's Republic of China provided 56.2 MTs of food, tents and blankets amounting to US$1.2 million. The PRC Embassy
in Pyongyang made available US$5,000 for local Ryongchon officials.
19. As part of its first relief aid, the Republic of Korea will provide US$ 1 million worth of emergency relief and
medical supplies channeled through the National Red Cross. In addition, the Republic of Korea provided US$200,000 in cash
to WHO.
20. Japan's emergency medical kits channeled through WHO (US$100,000) are expected to arrive on Thursday, 29 April at
Sunan airport.
21. ECHO through the Danish Red Cross will provide basic emergency medical services, emergency shelter, non-food items,
and potable water for the amount of ? 200,000 (US$249,000).
22. Germany pledged ? 50,000 (approximately US$60,000) for emergency assistance to the affected population.
23. Ireland will make available up to ? 200,000 (approximately US$240,000) depending on the specific emergency needs which
are identified by the Red Cross, international humanitarian agencies and the local authorities.
24. Australia will contribute AUD$ 250,000 (approximately US$ 180,000) to the IFRC emergency appeal.
25. Switzerland offered CHF 100,000 for emergency assistance to the victims.
26. Russian Federation dispatched a cargo plane containing 10 MTs of medical supplies, tents and blankets.
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. OCHA is in contact with its Office in Pyongyang, and will revert with further information, as it becomes available.
29. 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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