AP Images/Ahn Young-joon |
While droughts and famine are plaguing some parts of the world, flooding is prevalent in others.
Dozens of people were killed and thousands left
homeless by recent flooding in the Kangwon and North and South Hwanghae
province of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Forecasts call for continued heavy rains in the coming weeks.
The weather has already caused severe damage to farmland and
infrastructure.
Christian ministries are working to bring emergency supplies to help those in desperate need. Samaritan’s Purse is among the early responders. The U.S. State
Department has allocated $900,000 to American organizations to deliver
flood relief to the country. Samaritan’s Purse is matching the U.S. government’s grant, bringing the total amount of assistance to at least
$1.8 million. The organization will be providing relief items
including blankets, temporary shelter materials and hygiene supplies to
meet the critical needs of flood victims in North Korea. Staff members
will travel to DPRK to monitor the delivery of this assistance.
“When I was in North Korea in May, I saw the country’s increasingly dire needs,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “The
recent flooding has made this situation even more acute. I’m very
pleased that the United States government is separating political
differences from humanitarian need. People are people. God made and
created each and every one of us. The Bible teaches us that those who
have much should share with those who have little.”
