The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) experienced serious damage caused by heavy rains and flooding over the 7 – 14 August period of 2007. According to reports from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 900,000 people have been affected by this flood, and it has been confirmed that 454 people are dead, 156 missing, and over 4,350 people seriously injured. Furthermore, over 40,000 homes have been completely destroyed, and over 200,000 have partially damaged roofs or have been damaged by water immersion (figures announced 26 August).

On 27 August, the United Nations called for the international community to contribute 14 million dollars of aid. Along with the Republic of Korea (South Korea), international agencies such as the WHO and the WFP have provided donations such as medical items, food assistance and blankets, and on the last day of August the United States also announced plans to provide large scale food assistance.

Peace Boat is now calling for donations for emergency relief to aid the victims of these floods.
Since the “KOREA CRUISE” in 1991, Peace Boat has visited the DPRK five times with its ship. During the 1996 voyage, participants collaborated with other civil society organisations to directly deliver 62 tonnes of rice to local people affected by food shortages resulting from the previous year's heavy flooding.

The damage incurred during the recent floods is many times more severe than the 1995 situation. During visits to North and South Korea since 2000, we have conducted dialogue on the citizens' level, looking for ways to create a new era of peace for the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Politically, there are countless issues affecting Japanese-Korean relations such as nuclear missiles, abductions and settlement of the past, which make circumstances incredibly difficult. However, it is now necessary to go beyond political and historical situations and provide international aid based on the principles of humanity is now necessary.

We look forward to your cooperation in raising funds to help our neighbours affected by these floods.

For donations:
Post office direct deposit account (Yubin Furikomi Koza)? 00180-6-70561
Name (kanyushamei): Peace Boat UPA (ピースボート UPA)

*Please write “DPRK Flood Relief Fund (北朝鮮水害救援基金)” in the notes column
*Part of the donations will be used for minimal administration funds
*Due to the predicted reduction in rice harvest, food shortages are expected. For this reason, longterm support will also be required. Action regarding this will be decided at a later stage, based upon information gathered from the field. The donations gathered for this emergency relief effort are planned to be used during the next one month only.

Destination of funds and details of relief:
Donations will be sent to South Korean NGO JTS (Join Together Society) and the Japanese NGO Network “KOREA Children's Campaign,” who are undertaking relief efforts in the field. Both NGOs have dispatched staff to the DPRK since mid-late August, and are conducting research regarding the present situation as well as distributing material aid.

*JTS (Join Together Society) www.jtsint.org
An international civil society organisation based in Seoul working to eradicate hunger and disease throughout the world, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender and ideology. Currently, they are undertaking direct relief efforts in India, the Philippines, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the DPRK. They are particularly involved in assisting children, agricultural and regional development, based on thorough monitoring processes.

*KOREA Children's Campaign
This Tokyo-based organisation has been providing humanitarian relief for the children of the DPRK for 11 years, since first conducting emergency relief for victims of the 1995 floods. Furthermore, for the past six years it has also held exhibitions displaying art and exchange programmes by children of North and South Korea as well as Japan, conducting confidence and peace building activities involving the people of the Korean Peninsula and Japan. It currently consists of three organisations, JVC (Japan International Volunteer Centre), Ayus Buddhist International Cooperation Network, and the Earth Tree.

For enquiries: Ms Kushibuchi Mari
(Tel: 03-3363-7561 / Fax: 03-3363-7562 / E-mail: tokyo[at]peaceboat.gr.jp)