Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Request for relief and rehabilitation assistance: US$ 200,000
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Around noon on Thursday, 22 April 2004, two trains collided at the Ryongchon Station in Ryongchon county, North Pyongan province. The blast was caused by a shunting accident that led to an explosion of wagons containing ammonium nitrate and containers of fuel oil, according to local officials.
On Saturday, 24 April, a UN, NGO and Red Cross mission traveled to Ryongchon together with DPRK officials to conduct a preliminary assessment and deliver medical supplies, blankets, kitchen utensils and other relief items.
Ryongchon county has a population of 123,200 people; 27,000 live in the county city. The casualty figures provided by the government are as follows: 154 dead, including 76 children; five persons missing; and 1,300 injured, of whom 370 are hospitalized in Sinuiju city, near the Chinese border.
Damage to property is extensive and reported to be up to 40 percent of the area of the township. About 1,850 homes, a large number of public buildings such as schools and offices have been destroyed or damaged. Families have lost their belongings and food stocks; the town is now without a functioning hospital or school. Those without homes have been accommodated with friends and relatives nearby and in undamaged public buildings. The railway line has been restored.
The delegation reported that access granted has been good and now rehabilitation and reconstruction works are of high priority for the local authorities and international agencies. WHO will visit the hospitalized victims in Sinuiju this week.
After learning of this horrible disaster, Caritas-Hong Kong sent immediately a message of condolences and also offered assistance such as drugs, medical supplies and other relief goods for the victims and their families. Very quickly, within 8 hours, a message was received from the Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee thanking Caritas for the concern and expressing gratefulness and appreciation for the help offered.
Today, a message from the Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator was received.
· No immediate additional medical relief supplies are required, but emergency stocks need to be replenished.
· Assistance for rehabilitation efforts is needed also from the humanitarian aid community.
· Food assistance for about 15,000 people will be provided by WFP.
Caritas-Hong Kong would now like to request the Caritas friends to support the replenishing of medical stocks and rehabilitation efforts.
Cheques should be made payable to: Caritas-Hong Kong (for North Korea – Train disaster) and sent to Office for International Cooperation, Caritas House, Room 603, 2 Caine Road, Hong Kong or by bank transfer to Caritas-Hong Kong’s US$ A/C No. 616-101094-106, Fortis Bank Asia HK, 27/F, Fortis Bank Tower, 77-79 Gloucester Road, Hong Kong, Remark: North Korea – Train disaster
For further information please contact:
Kathi Zellweger, Caritas-Hong Kong
E-mail: zellweger@caritas.org.hk or phone (852) 2522 9211
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Hong Kong, 26 April 2004