EU humanitarian aid of €200,000 for immediate medical support to Ryonchon, North Korea

The European Commission has adopted a humanitarian aid decision to finance urgently-needed medical supplies and temporary shelter equipment for victims of the train explosion in Ryonchon, North Korea.

The funds, provided under the fast-track "primary emergency procedure" have been mobilised by the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) which falls under the responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson. ECHO has identified the Danish Red Cross as a partner that is ready and able to intervene immediately, using stocks already available close to the disaster zone.

The assistance includes basic medical supplies, first aid kits, kitchen sets, water decontamination tablets and tarpaulins for shelter.

Although it has been difficult to obtain solid information on the full scale of the tragedy, the North Korean authorities have requested international assistance, confirming that there has been widespread destruction and a large number of casualties. This decision therefore targets urgent initial needs.

ECHO's field expert in Pyongyang has been invited by the authorities to participate in a multi-agency assessment mission who will visit the scene of the disaster tomorrow morning. ECHO will examine early next week whether additional support is required, once the situation on the ground is clearer.

ECHO has been active in North Korea for many years funding projects by UN and Red Cross agencies and European NGOs working in the country. This has enabled it to offer a speedy response to the recent tragedy.

Last year, ECHO financed projects totalling €17.25 million, principally in the sectors of health, water and sanitation and nutritional support for malnourished children.

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• Commission approves €4.5 million in humanitarian aid for North Korea and Myanmar (9/6/2005)