Unyielding rain that began in early August has buried large areas of North Korea, killing hundreds of people, destroying more than 30,000 houses and displacing well over 60,000 families.
Mercy Corps has been in contact with its North Korean counterparts, and is currently discussing what materials will best assist North Korean families who have lost everything, including their homes and farms. There have been specific requests for food and blankets, as well as tools and cement to begin cleanup and rebuilding.
We need your help to quickly meet those needs.
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.
Torrential rain that began on August 7 has continued unabated, inundating and eroding thousands of acres of crucial farmland. According to news sources, the floods have also destroyed hundreds of public buildings, washed out more than 500 bridges and ruined numerous railway lines. There are also reports of widespread power and telecommunications outages.
"As details emerge, we're getting a clearer picture of the enormous damage across North Korea," said program officer Simon Miller. "We want to support families who are suffering from the worst flooding in years."
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.
Humanitarian action is critical to helping build stronger linkages with North Korea. We ask you to help us provide immediate relief to families suffering from North Korea's worst disaster in years.