North Korea’s Red Cross deploys thousands to help cope with coronavirus and floods
North Korea‘s Red Cross has sent tens of thousands of people to help with efforts to prevent coronavirus outbreaks and to provide flood assistance in the country.
No confirmed Covid-19 cases have been reported nationally to date. However, strict quarantine measures have been put in place.
Heavy rain and flooding in recent days have also sparked concern about crop damage and food supplies in the isolated country.
More than 43,000 volunteers have been deployed to help areas with the pandemic and floods, according to an official with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Some are working with health teams on coronavirus prevention efforts, Antony Balmain said.
“Hundreds of homes have been damaged and large areas of rice fields have been submerged due to heavy rain and some flash flooding,” Mr Balmain added.
The North Korean Red Cross received kits designed to run up to 10,000 coronavirus tests last month, alongside infrared thermometers, surgical masks, gowns and protective gear.
In Kaesong, a border city grappling with both the lockdown and floods, Red Cross volunteers were providing 2,100 families most at risk with relief items including tarpaulins, kitchen sets, quilts, hygiene kits and water containers, Mr Balmain from the IFRC said.
“Families are being supported with psychological first aid and awareness activities to maintain hygiene and stay healthy,” he added.
The support comes amid state media reports North Korea’s ruling party had delivered special aid packages of food and medical equipment to residents of Kaesong after imposing a lockdown there due to Covid-19 concerns.
Kim Jong-un declared a state of emergency emergency and imposed a lockdown on the city last month after a person, who defected to South Korea three years’ ago, returned across the highly fortified border showing coronavirus symptoms.
South Korean officials have said they have found no signs the man had the virus before leaving their country.
The suspected case was the first time North Korea had reported a possible coronavirus infection.
This man’s test results for the virus were inconclusive, a World Health Organisation official said earlier this week.
Authorities identified and quarantined more than 3,600 primary and secondary contacts in a government facility following the suspected infection, Dr Edwin Salvador, WHO representative for North Korea, said.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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