Supporting Red Cross Efforts Following a Devastating Flood in North Korea

By News Team (Originally in English)

In the months of August and September 2016, due to heavy rainfall resulting from Typhoon Lionrock, the northeast region of North Korea was devastated by the worst flood in the last 70 years. At least 138 people lost their lives, with 400 missing and 100,000 displaced, and more than 35,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. The North Korean government appealed to the international community for assistance.

In response, the World Food Programme provided food supplies, the European Union offered financial assistance and the Red Cross worked to find more resources for health services. Supreme Master Ching Hai also lovingly contributed US$20,000 to assist Loving Hut International Company Limited and Light Light Industry Limited in Formosa (Taiwan) to prepare vegan food for the affected people in North Korea, which was shipped to the Red Cross in November.

After delivering the food items to the families most in need, the Deputy Secretary General of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Red Cross Society, Mr. Jon Song Ryong, sent the following letter thanking our Association for encouraging the humanitarian activities and wishing to further facilitate the cooperation with our organization.

To: Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association

Light Light Industry (Taiwan) Limited

Dear Sirs/Madams,

In December, 2016, the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea carried out transportation and distribution of food items donated by Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association via Light Light Industry (Taiwan) Limited for the flood-affected people in the northern part of the DPRK. The final destination of the items was Kangan Area, Hoiryong City, Northern Hamgyong Province, where the damage was the biggest of all.

Among the items, 4,185 kg of rice, 1,035 kg of wheat flour, and 1,520 kg of noodles were distributed to 85 large families (with more than 4 family members- 365 people in total), while the beneficiaries of the other items including grain rice, vegetable shreds, cookies, and soybean powder were the children in Kangan Kindergarten and Kangan Nursery.

The generous donation made a significant contribution to food security and nutrition of the people and children in the affected area, and encouraged the humanitarian activities of the DPRK RCS for eradicating the aftereffects of the flood.

We sincerely wish to further facilitate the cooperation with your organization in the future as well.

With best regards,

 

Jon Song Ryong
Deputy Secretary General
DPRK Red Cross Society

Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai for Flood Relief Work in North Korea